Filter theory (sociology)

Filter theory is a sociological theory concerning dating and mate selection. It proposes that social structure limits the number of eligible candidates for a mate.[1] Most often, this takes place due to homogamy, as people seek to date and marry only those similar to them (characteristics that are often taken into account are age, race, social status and religion).[1] Homogamy is the idea of marriage between spouses who share similar characteristics, where heterogamy denotes marriage between spouses of different characteristics. The idea of "opposites attract: is heterogamous as well as the idea that one spouse has complementing, not similar characteristics to the other.[2]:4

Psychology perspective

• Filtering model created by psychologists Louis Janda and Karen Klende-Hamel[3]

  1. Married Couples → Eligible Partner
    • Starting with the base of all people, remove married couples, who are not available to be in a ::relationship, and Eligible Partners remain; all those who are available to be in a relationship.
  2. Compatibility Filter → Eligible Individuals Attracted to Each Other
    • The Compatibility Filter removes all people who are not attracted to each other, leaving only those ::who are compatible
  3. Physical Attractiveness Filter → Homogamous Potential Partners
    • Outside appearance and attraction
    • People are more likely to be physically attracted to those who look similar to themselves. Humans have inherited the innate instinct to survive and reproduce and must do both within the confines of the particular environment where they live, from their animal ancestors.[4]
    • Nevertheless, the importance of physical homogamy in marital relationships is decreasing[3]
    • This can be due to interracial marriage
  4. Similar and Complementary Views Filter
    • People are more likely to choose to be with a partner who think very similarly to themselves while straying from people with conflicting ideas and views.
  5. Potential Field of Partners
    • After all filters have been applied, this group of people remains as potential partners.
  6. People Who Live in Proximity → Total Field of Potential Partners[3]
    • Of all the people who are potential partners, for practical reason people choose partners who are close by.
    • With growing communications and technological advances, proximity is not limited to being geographically nearby.
    • The spreading availability of online dating is increasing the ability to communicate without face-to-face interactions and activities.

Sociological perspective

Theory of complementary needs

Considerations


References

  1. 1 2 Pamela C. Regan (2008). The mating game: a primer on love, sex, and marriage. SAGE. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-1-4129-5705-2. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Winch, Robert. Mate-Selection A Study of Complementary Needs. Harper & Brothers.
  3. 1 2 3 Feldman, Robert S. "Gender and Sexuality." Life Span Development: A Topical Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall/Pearson, 2011. 389. Print.
  4. Sanger, Alexander. Beyond Choice :Reproductive Freedom in the 21st Century. New York, NY, USA: Public Affairs, 2005. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 29 November 2015.
  5. Yalom, Marilyn, and Carstensen, Laura L., eds. Inside the American Couple : New Thinking, New Challenges. Berkeley, CA, USA: University of California Press, 2002. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 29 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 Degenne, Alain, and Forse, Michel. Introducing Social Networks. London, GBR: SAGE Publications Inc. (US), 1999. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 2 December 2015.
  7. Hollingshead, A. B. "Cultural Factors in the Selection of Marriage Mates". American Sociological REview: 622.
  8. Freud, Sigmund. "Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego": 30–59.
  9. Hammond, Ron; Cheney, Paul; Pearsey, Raewyn. "Sociology of the Family". Free Sociology Books. RockyRidge Press. Retrieved 4 May 2016.


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