Factors Affecting Attraction in Romantic Relationships (OCR A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes

9.2.3 Philtre Theory

Philtre Theory in Relationships

Kerckhoff and Davis's Philtre Theory suggests that we select romantic partners by applying a series of philtres that narrow down the "field of availables" from which we might eventually choose.

• Different philtres become important at various stages of partner selection. During the early stages, demographic similarities such as class, religion, and geographical location are likely to be the most critical factors in initiating a relationship.

• As the relationship progresses, similarities in attitudes and underlying values become more important in determining whether or not the relationship continues.

  

• Finally, partners are assessed based on their compatibility, such as whether their personality traits complement each other's. At each stage, unsuitable partners are filtered out for different reasons.

Social Demography

Social demography refers to variables such as age, social background, and geographical location that influence the likelihood of meeting someone in the first place. We tend to form relationships with people who are similar to us in these respects. Those who are too different from us are filtered out and are less likely to be considered potential partners.

Similarity in Attitudes

This philtre focuses on the psychological characteristics of individuals, including their agreement on specific attitudes, interests, and basic values. Partners who have very different attitudes and values are typically considered unsuitable and are filtered out during this stage.

Complementarity

Complementarity involves the ability of partners to meet each other's needs, especially emotional needs. Two partners complement each other when they possess traits that the other lacks, such as one partner being able to make the other laugh. This sense of complementarity is attractive because it makes partners feel that together they form a whole, adding depth to the relationship. Complementarity becomes the most important factor in establishing commitment in the later stages of a relationship.

Evaluation

Support for Philtre Theory

Kerckhoff and Davis's Research:

• Point: There is evidence supporting philtre theory from Kerckhoff and Davis.
• Evidence: They conducted a longitudinal study of 94 dating couples at Duke University in the US. Their initial analysis showed that only similarity was related to partner closeness. However, when the couples were divided into short-term (<18 months) and long-term (>18 months) relationships, a difference emerged. For short-term couples, similarity of attitudes and values was the most significant predictor of how close they felt to their partner. In contrast, for long-term couples, complementarity of needs was the key factor in predicting closeness.
• Conclusion: This study supports philtre theory by demonstrating that similarity is important in the early stages of a relationship, while complementarity becomes more important as the relationship develops.

Support from Social Demography

Taylor et al.'s Findings:

• Point: Further evidence supporting philtre theory comes from Taylor et al.
• Evidence: They reported that 85% of Americans who married in 2008 chose a partner from their own ethnic group.
• Conclusion: This finding supports the idea that social demography is a significant factor in determining the likelihood of a successful relationship.

Contradicting Evidence

Anderson et al.'s Study:

• Point: There is evidence that contradicts the direction of causality suggested by philtre theory.
• Evidence: Anderson et al. found in a longitudinal study that cohabiting partners became more similar in their emotional responses over time, a phenomenon they called emotional convergence.
• Conclusion: This suggests that similarity may be an effect of initial attraction rather than its cause, contradicting the philtre theory's assumption that we select partners by filtering through the "field of availables."

Limitations of Complementarity

Markey and Markey's Research:

• Point: Complementarity may not be central to all long-term relationships.
• Evidence: Markey and Markey found that lesbian couples with equal dominance were the most satisfied in their relationships. Their sample of couples had been romantically involved for an average of 4.5 years.
• Conclusion: This suggests that similarity of needs, rather than complementarity, may be more important for long-term satisfaction, challenging the assumptions of philtre theory.

Temporal Validity

Impact of Online Dating:

• Point: Philtre theory may lack temporal validity due to changes in the dating landscape.
• Evidence: The rise of online dating has reduced the importance of certain social demographic variables. Technology and dating apps have expanded the "field of availables," making it easier to date someone from a different social class or background than was possible 30 years ago.
• Conclusion: As a result, the assumptions of philtre theory may no longer be as relevant in today's society.