Relationships: Investment Model Flashcards
What was Rusbults (2001) 3 stages of a committed relationship?
1) Satisfaction- more rewards = more satisfaction, surpasses the comparison level
2) Quality of Alternatives- if no better options then will continue the relationship
3) Investment- anything you put into a relationship will be lost if you leave.
What are the types of investment?
Tangible (e.g. children) and intangible (e.g. time)
intrinsic (resources put directly into the relationship, e.g. money) and extrinsic (resources gathered through the relationship, e.g. commitment or friends)
what are the mechanisms which facilitate committtment?
Ridiculing alternatives, positive illusions, forgiveness, willingness to sacrifice and accommodation.
What did Impett, Beals and Peplau (2002) conduct?
Longitudinal study with large sample of married couples over 18 month period. found stability of the relationship positively correlated with commitment shown by partners- however only this study doesn’t include homosexual couples- all other research doesn’t include culture bias for IM.
Who did a meta anaylsis of 52 studies?
Le and Agnew’s (2003) -found the 3 strands contributed to commitment and defining factor of long-term relatinships across individualistic (USA) and collectivist (Taiwan) cultures. Also valid for many different subgroups (e.g. homosexual, friendships)
Who studied a group of women and found that all 3 strands featured in ptps decisions to stay with their partners?
Rhahgan and Axsom (2006) however cannot generalise to men
What’s a methodology strength?
uses self-report measures, so can get partner preferences, perceptions and individuals own beliefs. Objective reality doesn’t matter. however could allow for social desireablity bias.
How can the IM be simplistic or reductionist?
Goodfriend and Agnew (2008) argue its not just what we bring to the relationship, but is also couples plans for the future. Partners may be committed as they want to see these plans realised. However, can’t really measure future plans
