Theories of Romantic Relationships: Rusbult's Investment Model of Commitment

Question 1

What is Rusbult’s model of commitment?

Answer 1

Satisfaction level + Comparison of alternatives + Investment size = Commitment level = Stay or leave decision

Question 2

What is satisfaction?

Answer 2

To what degree does the partner meet your needs (e.g. sexual needs,companionship, attention, emotional support)- this is linked to rewards & costs . Benefits should outweigh costs to be feel satisfaction

Question 3

What is comparison with alternatives?

Answer 3

Does the relationship stand up to other possible alternatives. Commitment to the relationship is stronger if needs are adequately met.

Question 4

What is investment size?

Answer 4

Refers to how much resources the relationship has. The longer the relationship continues, the more the partners have invested into it (such as emotional care, happy memories, money, possessions etc).
The more that is invested, the stronger the commitment. Ending the relationship at this point would make all that investment useless.

Question 5

What are intrinsic investments?

Answer 5

What we directly put in -money, possessions (tangible- (Physical things) or effort , energy, self disclosure (intangible)

Question 6

What are extrinsic investments?

Answer 6

Things brought into their life via the r’ship e.g. friends, children, possessions bought together (tangibles), shared memories (intangible)

Question 7

What are maintenance behaviours?

Answer 7

Accommodation
Willingness to sacrifice
Forgiveness
Positive illusions
Ridiculing alternatives

Question 8

What is accommodation?

Answer 8

Acting in a way that promotes relationships, rather than keeping a tally of costs and rewards.

Question 9

What is willingness to sacrifice?

Answer 9

Putting partner’s interests first.

Question 10

What is forgiveness?

Answer 10

Willingness to forgive partner’s mistakes, both minor and serious ones.

Question 11

What are positive illusions?

Answer 11

Being unrealistically positive about partner’s qualities.

Question 12

What is ridiculing alternatives?

Answer 12

Minimising the advantages of potential alternatives and viewing them in a negative light.

Question 13

RUSBULT’S MODEL - Research support?

Answer 13

Le and Agnew (2003) conducted a meta analysis of 52 studies featuring 11,000 p’s in total over 5 countries and discovered that satisfaction, comparison with alternatives and investment greatly contributed to commitment and that commitment was the defining feature of stable, long lasting relationships- across male & females, across cultures and homosexual relationships as well as hetersexual.

Question 14

RUSBULT’S MODEL - Cross cultural support?

Answer 14

Lin and Rusbult (1995) surveyed 155 American students and 130 Taiwanese students. They found feelings of relationship commitment were strongest among couples with high satisfaction, less comparison with alternatives, and high investment, supporting all 3 elements of Rusbult’s investment model. Van Lange et al (1997) found similar results among Dutch students.

Question 15

RUSBULT’S MODEL - Methodological issues?

Answer 15

Relies on self report techniques. This is highly subjective as pts may give answers which are socially desirable because they want to appear to have more investment than they do. This means that the validity of the data could be questioned.

Question 16

RUSBULT’S MODEL - Practical applications?

Answer 16

Can help in couples therapy to focus on the commitment in relationships by looking at the three factors. This can help by introducing maintenance strategies which can help couples break negative patterns of behaviour and help promote more happiness

Question 17

RUSBULT’S MODEL - Theoretical issues?

Answer 17

Research is mostly correlational. This limits the predictive validity of the model as it fails to predict how much investment will lead to long term commitment. This makes the theory less scientific.