Investment Model: Outline

Question 1

Satisfaction Level:

Answer 1

refers to the positive vs. negative emotions experienced within a relationship

it’s influenced by the extent to which the other person fulfils his/hers most important needs

Question 2

Quality of Alternatives:

Answer 2

refers to the extent to which an individuals most important needs might be better fulfilled OUTSIDE the relationship

perceiving superior outcomes outside the relationship may lead he/she towards an alternative

if there’s no alternatives, they will persist due to lacking better options

alternatives aren’t always people, i.e. having no relationship may be deemed more appropriate than staying in the relationship

Question 3

Investment size:

Answer 3

a measure of all the resources that are attached to the relationship and which would diminish in value or be lost entirely if the relationship were to end i.e. time, energy

investments increase dependence on the relationship because they increase connections with the partner that would costly to break, thus he/she are more likely to persist

Question 4

Commitment level:

Answer 4

describes the likelihood that an involving will persist

commitment is high when partners are happy with their relationship and anticipate little or no gain if they were to leave (i.e. they’re satisfied)

commitment is low when partners are dissatisfied and the quality of alternatives is high

a lack of alternatives results in a dependence -
commitment is a consequence of increasing dependence