How relationships are formed Filter Theory How relationships are formed

In today’s society, there are around 26 million single people between 18-24 years of age Does this mean there are 13 million potential mates out there for you?

Not necessarily! It would take more than your lifetime to superficially interact with each of these people! When we consider potential partners, we filter people into pools of eligibility

Kerckhoff & Davies ‘Filter theory’ (1962) Socio-demographic They suggest your choice of partner is affected by factors which limit the availability of people to choose from There are a series of filters that ‘thin down the field’ to those people who are available to you Attitudes Complementarity Eligible partners

First Filter Similarity of social demographic variables Festinger et al. (1950) People who live closest to the stairway in an apartment block formed more friendships with other residents than those who lived further down the halls Clark (1952) 50% of Ohio citizens were married to partners who initially lived in walking distance from their home First Filter Similarity of social demographic variables Will be people we are realistically likely to meet and with whom we have things in common, like age, background, proximity. People we are unlikely to meet get filtered out at this stage

Filter number 2 = Similarity of attitudes When we meet and socialise with individuals, we are exposed to a variety of beliefs, values and attitudes The filter theory suggests we filter those who have similar attitudes to ourselves as being eligible Byrne (1961) found individuals preferred strangers with similar attitudes, than strangers with different attitudes

Third Filter = Complementarity We tend to focus on the degree to which potential partners meet or compliment our needs, specifically our emotional needs This helps make relationship ‘deeper’ and less superficial

Make & label your own filter! Make and Do Task Make & label your own filter!

Recap Kerchkoff and Davies (1962) Field of desirables The first filter revolves around the fact that we only meet a very small fraction of people living in our area (demographic filter). Most of those we meet tend to be of a similar social class, education level and maybe even the same ethnicity or (similarity filter). The third filter is based on psychological (internal) factors. The chances of a short term relationship becoming more permanent depends most on shared beliefs and values, and personality variables. (complementarity filter) Field of desirables Internal Variables. Personality. Similarity Social variables. Proximity.

Kerchkoff and Davies (1962) Formation of Relationships Filters Model: Kerchkoff and Davies (1962) To study the model, Kerchkoff and Davies conducted a study using students in a relationship for less than 18 months (short term) with those in a relationship for over 18 months (long term). Using self-report questionnaires, the study found that attitude similarity was the most important factor up to 18 months. However in the long term couples complimenting each others needs became the most important factor.

Words Social Internal Personality Race Complementarity Filter Similarity Different

filter different social race internal personality similarity social Formation of Relationships Fill in the blanks, using the words. Try to work them out on your own. You can use words more than once. People_________ possible mates from a range of eligible candidates. The theory suggests that people use___________ methods at different levels of the process. We start with__________ variables such as _______ or class. We then move to more individual and __________ values such as people’s ______________. For__________ variables we are likely to seek ____________ whereas for ___________ values it may be more important to seek ___________________ characteristics. filter different social race internal personality social similarity internal complementary

You now have a work sheet to complete Formation of Relationships You now have a work sheet to complete Factor Description Revision Aid

Filters: Kerchkoff and Davies (1962) Formation of Relationships Filters: Kerchkoff and Davies (1962) Factor Description Revision Aid Proximity Most people will form a relationship with people close to them geographically. This is mainly due to chance they will meet, speak or generally become aware of one another. Physical Attraction How good looking someone is has been found to be one of the most important factors in initial relationship formation, as well as longer lasting relationships. Similarity Most people will come into contact with people from the same social or cultural background. This can also be the case for internal characteristics such as attitudes, or personality traits. Complement of Needs Not all personality characteristics need to be the same, we are often attracted to people who can give us what we lack. A dominating person may like a submissive person. Competence How intelligent and competent one appears can be influential in how attractive they are. 7/10