Factors Affecting Attraction: Filter Theory 2
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 9.1.7
Filter Theory - Partner's Attitudes
The second level of the filter concerns similarity in partner's attitudes.
Kerchhoff and Davis (1962)
- Kerchhoff and Davis (1962) found that similar attitudes were important to the development of romantic relationships, but only for couples who had been together fewer than 18 months.
Kerchhoff and Davis (1962) cont.
- Partners in the earlier stages of a relationship need to agree on basic values.
- This encourages greater and deeper communication and promotes self disclosure.
Byrne (1997)
- Byrne (1997) found that most people found having similar attitudes attractive at the beginning of a relationship.
- He concluded that similarity causes attraction, and that the relationship is less likely to last if this similarity doesn’t exist.
Filter Theory: Complementarity
The third level of the filter is complementarity. This is the ability of partners to meet each other’s needs.
Attractiveness of complementarity
- Complementarity happens when one partner has traits that the other one lacks.
- For example, one partner being more dominant or confident in the relationship than the other.
Complementarity
- Complementarity is attractive because it creates the feeling that together, the two people forms a whole. This adds depth to the relationship, making it more likely to flourish.
Kerchhoff and Davis (1962)
- Kerchhoff and Davis (1962) found that the need for complementarity was more important for long-term couples.
- In other words, opposites attract, but only in the later stages of a relationship.
Test yourself on Factors Affecting Attraction: Filter Theory 2
Kerchhoff and Davis (1962) found that partners in the earlier stages of a relationship need to agree on basic values. Which of the below does this NOT encourage?
In which year did Kerchhoff and Davis find that the need for complementarity was more important for long-term couples?