Kerckhoff and Davies Theory
Kerckhoff and Davies proposed a theory of how romantic relationships form, involving different factors that narrow down the field of potential partners and influence the likelihood of partners meeting in the first place.
Filters
The theory discusses three main filters that impact the formation of romantic relationships:
- Social Demography: Factors such as proximity, social class, education level, religion, and ethnicity influence the likelihood of partners meeting in the first place. People tend to spend more time with others who are similar to them, making those who are different less likely to become romantic partners.
- Similarity in Attitudes: Once the field of potential partners has been narrowed down by demography, those remaining share similar values and attitudes. Similarity in attitudes encourages deeper communication and self-disclosure, which is important in relationships of less than 18 months.
- Complementarity of Needs: This filter refers to the ability of partners to meet each other's needs. Partners complement each other's characteristics, and this is important in couples who have been together for longer than 18 months.
Kerckhoff & Davies Longitudinal Study
The study involved 94 dating couples considering marriage in an American University. The partners in each couple completed questionnaires assessing the degree to which they shared attitudes and complementarity of needs. The findings showed that similarity in attitudes was important in relationships of less than 18 months, while complementarity was important in longer-term relationships.
Evaluation
Culture Bias
The Filter Theory is primarily supported by research from individualistic Western cultures. However, it may not apply universally, particularly in collectivist cultures where romantic relationships are often arranged. This suggests that the theory could suffer from culture bias, assuming the rules of partner choice in Western cultures apply universally.
Temporal Validity
The role of filters in partner choice has changed over time. Online dating and apps have expanded the field of potential partners, and changes in social attitudes have led to relationships that were less common in the past, such as relationships from different ethnic or religious backgrounds. This suggests that the Filter Theory may lack temporal validity and may not fully explain the formation of relationships in the present day.
In conclusion, the Filter Theory, as proposed by Kerckhoff and Davies, provides valuable insights into the factors affecting attraction in romantic relationships. However, it is essential to consider the limitations and potential biases in applying this theory universally.
