Steve Duck’s Filter Theory

Steve Duck’s theory on Interpersonal Attraction states that we filter people through different stages, hence deciding on who we want to become close to. Some people are eliminated at the early fliters, whereas others pass through all the fliters to ultimately become intimate partners.

 The first filter is based on sociological or incidental cues. Physical proximity plays a very big role in determining if we form realtionships with people. Here, environmental factors are crucial.

 I personally think that this first filter should be more of a pre-requisite to forming relationships, rather than a filter per se. In the first place, communication only begins when both parties are in physical proximity, and it is mostly through communication (Verbal or nonverbal), where filtering actually takes place. However, the theory states that we have a choice of where we want to be, in order to increase or decrease communication between strangers. Hence, this is regarded as part of the filtering process.

An example would be whether or not I choose to start a conversation with someone who is always sitting at the other end of the lecture hall. By choosing to sit next to the person, I make interaction possible. On the other hand, by choosing to let the physical distance remain, I have ‘filtered’ this person out of my list of potential friends, and he or she remains a stranger.

 This brings us to Preinteraction Cues. Nonverbal cues are important at this stage, with the focus on physical appearance, artifacts, and dress etc. People who still believe that physical beauty does not matter in this day and age are sadly disillusioned. We are, after all, human, and are naturally drawn towards people who are physically attractive. People who do not attract us enough to make it pass this filtering stage are very likely to stay as acquaintances. Beauty and style are very important cues to determine if we build closer relationships with the people around us. It’s sad but true. Also, beauty is not in the eye of the beholder. Research has been done on this issue, and people across cultures have a common, fixed set of ideas and perceptions on ‘beauty’.

The third stage of flitering involves Interaction Cues. Here is where conversation matters. More accurately, the content. Verbal cues become instrumental in deciding whether a person moves on to the last stage. I have personally encountered people who breezed through the first two filter stages, but failed miserably here. Communication is either chaotic, painful, or simply non-existent. Conversation matters a lot to me; in this aspect, I may probably be what many would consider a harsh judge of character. However, knowing that everyone judges everyone else through the Filter Theory makes it somewhat less guilt-inducing.

Finally, we filter one another according to Cognitive Cues. We look for people with similar attitudes and beliefs, and who share the same values as us. On a psychological level, the strongest bonds are forged here, and people who make it pass this final level may become romantic partners. Very few people have made it pass this last filter of mine. Perhaps that is why I have yet to engage in a proper relationship with anyone. The few who have nevertheless passed this filter are extremely close friends of mine – The ones whom I can share and disclose a lot with.

 It is important to note that we should not let initial filters interfere with our getting to know people. I personally feel that I have missed out on many relationships that could have been great, because I was too stringent in my filtering process. Also, it does not mean that people who have been eliminated remain strangers or acquaintances forever. There are many people whom I eliminated in the early stages, but made it pass the second or third round of filtering, when I discovered my errors in the previous attempts. Human beings are not mechanical in processes like filtering – There is always room for flexibility.