Filter Theory

Kerckhoff & Davis — Filter Theory

The theory says relationships develop through three filters. As people move through each filter, the number of potential partners gets smaller, hence the idea of a “filter.”

1. Social demography

• This is the first filter.

• People are more likely to meet and form relationships with people who are similar in social background.

• This includes things like age, education, social class and religion.

• Similarity makes it more likely that people will actually meet and interact.

2. Similarity in attitudes

• Once people have met, they are more likely to form relationships if they have similar attitudes and beliefs.

• For example, similar views about politics, relationships or lifestyle.

• Similar attitudes make interactions more rewarding and reduce conflict.

3. Complementarity

• At the final stage, partners need complementary needs — basically, their personalities/needs fit together.

• For example, one person may be dominant while the other is more submissive.

• This allows each partner's needs to be satisfied by the other.

The key thing to remember

Social demography → Similarity of attitudes → Complementarity

Think:

“Who can I meet?” → “Do we agree?” → “Do we fit?”

Kerckhoff & Davis' study

They studied relationship development in 94 student couples who had been together for less than 18 months or more than 18 months.

They found:

• For relationships under 18 months, similarity of attitudes was particularly important.

• For relationships over 18 months, complementarity became more important.

This supported their idea that different filters become important at different stages of relationship development.