Progress Toward Permanence in Courtship: A Test of the Kerckhoff-Davis Hypotheses

This study aimed to replicate and extend Kerckhoff and Davis' (1962) findings concerning the effects of value consensus and need complementarity upon mate selection. Samples of steadily attached couples from two state universities reported on their courting relationships in both the fall (Time1) and the spring (Time2) of the school year. Results for 330 couples are presented. The previous findings, that value consensus and need complementarity would enhance progress toward permanence, in the present study received only marginal support. Moreover, the length of the couples' relationship did not interact with these variables in accordance with the Kerckhoff-Davis study. Additional analyses of other Time, paper-and-pencil compatibility indices also failed to relate substantially to the Time2 changes. The best predictors were the partners' own Time1 feelings about their relationship. Various implications of these results are discussed.