Theories of Mate Selection

WHEEL THEORY

Wheel Theory The ideal of romantic love was formulated in France and Germany in the 12th century. Based on the belief that there is only one person in the world that we are meant to love The romantic ideal says that women are more romantic and men are more rational and idealistic

Wheel Theory The Wheel Theory of Love was developed by Reiss The four stages of a relationship are represented by the spokes of a wheel. Reiss states that a person must proceed through these stages one at a time and in order

Wheel Theory Stage One: Rapport Building communication with one another Discovering “chemistry” Showing interest in one another

Wheel Theory Stage Two: Self-Revelation Letting the other person know personal things about you Sharing your thoughts and feelings

Wheel Theory Stage Three: Mutual Dependency Working as a team Depending on one another for emotional needs

Wheel Theory Stage Four: Personality and Needs Fulfillment The change in personalities over time, people become more like one another Meeting each others needs: Emotional, physical, long term goals, values Experiencing things together

SOCIALCULTURAL THEORY

Sociocultural Theory Sociocultural theory explains the concept of love by explaining that people are attracted to others that are of similar social and cultural backgrounds

Sociocultural Theory Propinquity is based on nearness and proximity to a person Exogamy is the custom of marrying outside of one’s tribe, clan, or other social unit Endogamy is the concept of marrying within a particular group, whether it is based on custom or law

Sociocultural Theory Homogamy is marriage between two individuals who are in some culturally important way, important to each other It can be based on socio-economic status, class, ethnicity, religion etc.

Sociocultural Theory The principle of homogamy can be applied to many areas of an individual’s life such as education, age, religion and race

Education: Similar levels of education Age: Similar age range, maturity levels, values Religion: Share similar religious values Race: Are of the same race * Note interracial relationships are much more common now*

COMPLEMENTARY NEEDS THEORY

Complementary Needs Theory Robert Winch and associates formulated the theory of mate selection in terms of complementary personality needs The premise of this theory is that human behaviour is oriented toward the gratification of needs. Not all of these needs are always conscious

Complementary Needs Theory Needs are learned in personality development, therefore, they become subject to normative regulation Winch describes love as the positive emotion expressed by one person in a relationship in which the second person meets certain important needs of the first

Complementary Needs Theory In mate selection, each person selects that person who gives the greatest promise of providing the maximum gratification The partners’ needs will be complementary rather than similar

Complementary Needs Theory The needs of one spouse may be different in kind from the needs of the second spouse The needs of one spouse may differ in degree or intensity from those of the other

Kinds of Complementariness: Shy vs Outspoken Organized vs Messy

Couples that Support this Theory: Insecure people who feel they need to marry someone who flatters them and boosts their ego. Abused child marries someone who is abusive to them. Men with dominant mother figures look for dominant wives as a motherly substitute.

FILTER THEORY

Filter Theory Certain traits act as filters which gradually narrow the field of eligible marriage partners The rule of thumb is that the more of these traits a couple shares, the more likely they will be to move through the courtship process to marriage

Filter Theory These factors include: Age Propinquity Religion Race and ethnicity Social class Education Values

Filter Theory Show how each factor acts as a filter

Review There are four main theories of mate selection: Wheel theory Sociocultural theory Complementary Needs theory Filter theory