Rusbults investment model Flashcards
(8 cards)
What does Investment Theory argue is needed beyond satisfaction to maintain a relationship?
Investment Theory extends Social Exchange Theory by suggesting that commitment also depends on the quality of alternatives and the size of the investment made in the relationship.
What is the equation for commitment in Investment Theory?
Commitment = Satisfaction - Alternatives + Investment
Higher commitment is predicted when satisfaction is high, alternatives are low, and investment is large.
What is meant by investment size in a relationship?
Investments are resources tied to the relationship that would be lost or diminished if it ended. Unlike rewards or costs, investments are hard to recover after a breakup.
What are the two types of investment in Investment Theory?
• Intrinsic investments: directly put into the relationship, e.g. time, energy, emotional work.
• Extrinsic investments: once external, now tied to the relationship, e.g. shared possessions, memories, social networks.
How does investment influence commitment?
High investment increases commitment by creating a sense of being locked in. Ending the relationship would mean sacrificing valued resources, increasing motivation to maintain it.
What is a limitation of Investment Theory based on its use of correlations?
Much of the supporting evidence for Investment Theory is correlational, meaning we cannot conclude causality. For example, high commitment might cause people to perceive their investment as high, not the other way around. So, the direction of influence may be reversed, weakening the theory’s explanatory power.
What are the practical applications of Investment Theory?
Investment Theory has real-world value in relationship counselling. Therapists can help couples recognise and reinforce their investments, especially when satisfaction is low, to boost commitment and prevent breakup. This makes the theory not just explanatory but usefully applied to relationship maintenance.
How does Le & Agnew’s meta-analysis support Investment Theory?
Le & Agnew (2003) conducted a meta-analysis of 52 studies across USA, UK, Netherlands, Taiwan, and New Zealand, with over 11,000 participants. The sample was 58% women and 42% men. They found that satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and investment size were all strong predictors of commitment, which in turn predicted relationship stability.
