1. Theories of Mate Selection

2. WHEEL THEORY

3. Wheel Theory
The ideal of romantic love was formulated in France and Germany in the 12th century.
Based on the belief that there is only one person in the world that we are meant to love
The romantic ideal says that women are more romantic and men are more rational and idealistic

4. Wheel Theory The Wheel Theory of Love was developed by Reiss
The four stages of a relationship are represented by the spokes of a wheel. Reiss states that a person must proceed through these stages one at a time and in order

5. Wheel Theory Stage One: Rapport
Building communication with one another
Discovering “chemistry”
Showing interest in one another

6. Wheel Theory Stage Two: Self-Revelation
Letting the other person know personal things about you
Sharing your thoughts and feelings

7. Wheel Theory Stage Three: Mutual Dependency Working as a team
Depending on one another for emotional needs

8. Wheel Theory Stage Four: Personality and Needs Fulfillment
The change in personalities over time, people become more like one another
Meeting each others needs: Emotional, physical, long term goals, values
Experiencing things together

9. SOCIALCULTURAL THEORY

10. Sociocultural Theory
Sociocultural theory explains the concept of love by explaining that people are attracted to others that are of similar social and cultural backgrounds

11. Sociocultural Theory
Propinquity is based on nearness and proximity to a person
Exogamy is the custom of marrying outside of one’s tribe, clan, or other social unit
Endogamy is the concept of marrying within a particular group, whether it is based on custom or law

12. Sociocultural Theory
Homogamy is marriage between two individuals who are in some culturally important way, important to each other
It can be based on socio-economic status, class, ethnicity, religion etc.

13. Sociocultural Theory
The principle of homogamy can be applied to many areas of an individual’s life such as education, age, religion and race

14. Education: Similar levels of education
Age: Similar age range, maturity levels, values
Religion: Share similar religious values
Race: Are of the same race
* Note interracial relationships are much more common now*

15. COMPLEMENTARY NEEDS THEORY

16. Complementary Needs Theory
Robert Winch and associates formulated the theory of mate selection in terms of complementary personality needs
The premise of this theory is that human behaviour is oriented toward the gratification of needs. Not all of these needs are always conscious

17. Complementary Needs Theory
Needs are learned in personality development, therefore, they become subject to normative regulation
Winch describes love as the positive emotion expressed by one person in a relationship in which the second person meets certain important needs of the first

18. Complementary Needs Theory
In mate selection, each person selects that person who gives the greatest promise of providing the maximum gratification
The partners’ needs will be complementary rather than similar

19. Complementary Needs Theory
The needs of one spouse may be different in kind from the needs of the second spouse
The needs of one spouse may differ in degree or intensity from those of the other

20. Kinds of Complementariness:
Shy vs Outspoken
Organized vs Messy

21. Couples that Support this Theory:
Insecure people who feel they need to marry someone who flatters them and boosts their ego.
Abused child marries someone who is abusive to them.
Men with dominant mother figures look for dominant wives as a motherly substitute.

22. FILTER THEORY

23. Filter Theory
Certain traits act as filters which gradually narrow the field of eligible marriage partners
The rule of thumb is that the more of these traits a couple shares, the more likely they will be to move through the courtship process to marriage

24. Filter Theory These factors include: Age Propinquity Religion
Race and ethnicity
Social class
Education
Values

25. Filter Theory
Show how each factor acts as a filter

26. Review There are four main theories of mate selection: Wheel theory
Sociocultural theory
Complementary Needs theory
Filter theory