Factors Affecting Attraction: Filter Theory

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  • Factors Affecting Attraction: Filter Theory
    • Partner Choice:
      • Field of Availables: Everyone who could be a potential romantic partner.
      • Field of Desirables: Filter Theory narrows down field of availables, to those we are attracted to.
    • Kerckhoff and Davis (1962)
    • Social Demography - 1st Level of Filter
      • Factors influence the chances of potential partners meeting.
        • Factors Include: social class, level of education, proximity, and religion.
      • Vast range of potential partners, the realistic field is narrower.
        • Choices are constrained by social circumstances
      • Individuals who are 'too different' are discarded.
      • Homogamy outcome = likely to partner with individual similar to ourselves.
    • Similarity in Attitudes - 2nd Level of Filter
      • Similar attitudes are important to the development of a romantic relationship.
        • Only for couples of less than 18 months.
      • Early stage of relationship = agreement on basic values.
        • Encourages greater and deeper self-disclosure.
      • Byrne (1997)
        • Similarity causes attraction as the law of attraction.
        • If similarity doesn't exist, relationship is likely to fizzle out.
    • Complement-arity - 3rd Level of Filter
      • Romantic partners must meet each other's needs.
      • Partners compliment each other when they have traits that the other lacks.
      • Complement-arity = more important for long-term relationships.
      • This is attractive because if gives couples feelings of 'togetherness'
        • Adds depth to relationship.

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