Griffit and Guay (1969) did an experiment where participants were evaluated on a creative task by the experimenter, and then asked to rate how much they liked the experimenter. The rating was highest when the experimenter had positively evaluated the participant’s performance on the task. The participants also had to say how much they liked the onlooker; the onlooker was rather more highly in the condition where the performance of participants had been positively evaluated by experimenter. This study provides support for both reinforcement ideas and association ideas. Although lab experiments do not necessarily show that the principles of reward/need theory simply apply to real life, the studies lack mundane realism. However some studies have been conducted on real life couples and have tended to support these claims (Caspi & Herbener 1990)
Another basic problem with the reward/need satisfaction theory is that it only explores receiving rewards, whereas Hays (1985) found that we also gain satisfaction from giving as well as receiving. Furthermore, reward/need satisfaction theory does not account for cultural and gender differences in the formation of relationships. Lott (1994) suggests that in many cultures women are more focused on the needs of other rather than rewarding reinforcement.
In 1962 Kerckoff and Davis presented another form of relationship formation theory known as the filter model. They believed that we have three filters that are important at different times before we can enter a relationship. We start with a field of availables, those who are free for relationships and gradually narrow them down using different stages to a field of desirables, and those who we would consider as potential partners. The first filter is the social and demographic variables where we tend to pick people with similar educational and economic background to us. The second filter is the similarity of attitudes and values, where people with different values, attitudes and interests to us are filtered out. The third stage is the complementarity of emotional needs where we decide how well between the two people they fit together as a couple.
Kerckoff and Davis (1962) then tested their model in a longitudinal study using student couples that had been together for more or less than 18 months. They completed several questionnaires over 7 months which reported on attitude similarity and personality traits with their partner. They found that attitude similarity was the most important factor up to about 18 months into a relationship, after this time psychological compatibility and the ability to meet each other’s needs became important, supporting the idea of the filter model.
The filter model is a useful way to think about factors that are influential in relationship development and when they might come into play. It also emphasises the importance of demographic factors and similarity of attitudes and values as filters in development of relationships, evidence shows this continues in relationship survival. However the division of relationships into stages fails to capture their fluid and dynamic nature. Real life relationships flow seamlessly. Some may develop faster and others slower than the filter model suggests.
by
spikerai (student)
