Rusbult's investment model

Question 1

Outline

Answer 1

proposes the success of a relationship is determined by the level of commitment each partner puts in to maintain it.

Question 2

Commitment

Answer 2

a key factor in successful relationships which explains why people will remain in unprofitable relationships. This is determined by three factors:

Question 3

1. Satisfaction

Answer 3

is determined by how profitable the relationship is perceived to be in terms of the ratio of rewards to costs. This is influenced by comparison level

Question 4

2. Comparison level for alternatives

Answer 4

relates to how the relationship compares to other relationships out there.

Question 5

3. Investment

Answer 5

relates to anything you would lose if the relationship ends.
Intrinsic investments (resources we put into)
Extrinsic investments (resources gained from the start)

Question 6

Maintenance mechanisms

Answer 6

These include things like working together rather than competing (accommodation), willingness to sacrifice, forgiveness, positive illusions and being negative about other potential relationships (derogation of alternatives)

Question 7

Evaluation strength: Le & Agnew (2003)

Answer 7

found that satisfaction, comparison with alternatives and investment size all predicted relationship commitment in homosexual and heterosexual relationships across different cultures.

Question 8

Evaluation strength: explains abusive relationships

Answer 8

Rusbult (1995) studied ‘battered’ women at a shelter and found that those most likely to return to a partner reported making the greatest investment and having fewest attractive alternatives.

Question 9

Evaluation strength: methodological strengths

Answer 9

as self report measures like interviews and questionnaires are used to collect data and rely on the subjective account of their relationship.

Question 10

Evaluation weakness: less relevant to romantic relationships

Answer 10

as people in these types of relationships invest relatively little but still remain committed to them. This is perhaps due to mental investment they make in their future plans.

Question 11

Evaluation weakness: correlational data

Answer 11

just because investment and commitment are linked together we cannot assume that the level of investment directly affects how committed people are to the relationship. (could be opposite way around)