3 - Theories Of Romantic Relationships - Rusbult's Investment Model

Question 1

Define Rusbult’s Investment Model

Answer 1

Theory explaining the commitment to/maintenance of relationships in terms of one’s satisfaction with, alternatives to and investments in a relationship

Question 2

Why was Rusbult’s Investment Model made?

Answer 2

• In response to the Social Exchange Theory

- Rusbult believed commitment was more important in relationships than the profit (balance of rewards + costs)

Question 3

What did Rusbult believe was the most important factor for maintaining relationships?

Answer 3

Commitment

Question 4

What 3 factors did Rusbult suggest promote commitment in a relationship?

Answer 4

1) Satisfaction
2) Comparison with alternatives
3) Investment

Question 5

Which of the 3 factors that promote commitment to maintaining a relationship really set Rusbult’s Model apart from the SET?

Answer 5

Investment (factor 3)

Question 6

What is commitment in relationships?

Answer 6

A partner’s intention/desire to continue a relationship

- More commitment = more likely to maintain relationship

Question 7

How are commitment + maintenance of relationships linked?

Answer 7

Committed partners (who want to continue the relationship) will make more effort to maintain the relationship

Question 8

Define maintenance mechanisms

Answer 8

Efforts made by committed partners to try to keep the relationship going (maintain the relationship)

Question 9

Give some examples of maintenance mechanisms taken by committed partners

Answer 9

• Accommodation (behaving in interests of long term)
• Willingness to sacrifice (putting partner’s interests first)
• Forgiveness
• Positive illusions (think about own relationship unrealistically positively)
• Ridiculing alternatives (think negatively about other potential partners)

Question 10

Outline satisfaction (factor 1 in promoting commitment)

Answer 10

Extent to which partners feel rewards of relationship exceed costs

• Higher satisfaction = higher commitment = higher chance of maintaining relationship
• Partners must be satisfied with their profit (that rewards outweigh costs + have a good comparison level with previous experience + social norms)

Question 11

What do the 3 factors that promote commitment also promote indirectly?

Answer 11

Maintenance of relationship

Committed partners try harder to maintain relationship - e.g. use more maintenance mechanisms

Question 12

Outline comparison with alternatives (factor 2 in promoting commitment)

Answer 12

Extent to which partners feel a relationship with a different partner or no relationship at all would be worse
- Less attractive alternatives = higher commitment = higher chance of maintaining relationship

Question 13

Outline investment (factor 3 in promoting commitment)

Answer 13

Resources associated with a relationship that partners would lose if relationship ends

• Higher investment = higher commitment = higher chance of maintaining relationship
• 2 types of investment (intrinsic + extrinsic)

Question 14

Define intrinsic investment + give an example

Answer 14

Resources we put directly into the relationship
E.g
- Tangible: money
- Intangible: energy

Question 15

Define extrinsic investment + give an example

Answer 15

Resources we didn’t directly put into the relationship, but have become associated with the relationship over time
E.g
- Tangible: mutual friends
- Intangible: shared memories

Question 16

Give 2 positive evaluation points for Rusbult’s Investment Model

Answer 16

?

Question 17

Give 2 negative evaluation points for Rusbult’s Investment Model

Answer 17

?