Relationships- investment model Flashcards
What does the model look like
Satisfaction. future stay orleave decision
Alternatives
Commitment level Investments
What does commitment mean
The likelihood that an individual will persist in the current R/ship. This is influenced by high satisfaction and investment, and low quality of alternatives
What is commitment influenced by
High satisfaction and investment
Low quality of alternatives
How many factors in commitment influenced by
3
What are the 3 factors that influence commitment
Satisfaction
Comparison of alternatives
Investment size
What is satisfaction level
To what degree does the partner meet your needs (e.g. sexual needs), cost benefit analysis
What is comparison of alternatives
Does the relationship stand up to other possible alternatives, past or present Commitment to the relationship is stronger if needs are adequately met.
What is an investment size
Refers to how much resources the relationship has. The longer the relationship continues, the more the partners have invested into it (such as emotionally care, shared kids etc). The more that is invested, the stronger the commitment. Ending the relationship at this point would make all that investment useless. Can be broken down to intrinsic and extrinsic
Evaluation - Evidence Lin and Rusbult
P/E- found females generally reported higher satisfaction levels, poorer scores for alternative relationships, greater investment scores and stronger commitment overall.
L- This supports the idea that there are gender differences but also backs up previous research theories on the evolutionary aspects of relationships.
Evaluation - Evidence Van Lange et al
P- Found support for all aspects of the model in Taiwanese students while Lin & Rusbult found similar findings in Dutch students, suggesting cross-cultural consensus.
E- It is, however, worth noting that the majority of research is this area is done by Rusbult, who created the investment theory itself.
L- Despite possible research bias, there is evidence to suppport
Evaluation - Practical application
Helps explain why people still in abusive R/ships. Low satisfaction, but too much invested. Lack of alternatives strong indicator why battered wives stay in horrid R/ships
Evaluation - Theoretical problems
Future investment is important too (Goodfriend and Agnew) –model should include planned investment. Hence, some r/ships persist due to faith in future plans (e.g. saving for house deposit or plans for kids). These theoretical investments seen as strong predictors
What did Lin and Rusbult find
found females generally reported higher satisfaction levels, poorer scores for alternative relationships, greater investment scores and stronger commitment overall.
What did Van Lange et al find
found support for all aspects of the model in Taiwanese students while Lin & Rusbult found similar findings in Dutch students, suggesting cross-cultural consensus. E- It is, however, worth noting that the majority of research is this area is done by Rusbult, who created the investment theory itself.
