Investment Theory

Question 1

Who proposed the investment model?

Answer 1

Rusbult

Question 2

What differentiates it from other economic theories?

Answer 2

It considers long-term investments alongside the cost / reward system

Question 3

What are the three factors of Rusbult’s investment model?

Answer 3

1. Cost / Reward
2. Comparison to alternatives
3. Investment levels

Question 4

Evidence to support Rusbult’s model?

Answer 4

Evidence to show that females were more likely to stay in an abusive relationship with high investment if the alternatives were low

Question 5

What does Equity Theory suggest?

Answer 5

We desire a fair input / output of fairness within a relationship

Question 6

Equity

Answer 6

Same input / output

Question 7

Why is equity theory different to an economic model?

Answer 7

Highlights fairness over gain

Question 8

Research to support equity theory

Answer 8

• Stafford and Canary,
• Asked 200+ married couples questionnaire on equity and satisfaction

Question 9

Stafford + Canary results

Answer 9

The satisfaction was highest for spouses who believed their relationship to be equitable

Question 10

Evaluate Equity Theory [M,A,B]

Answer 10

Methodology:
• Questionnaires are very subjective, so lacks scientific credibility
• Can’t objectively measure cross / benefit analysis
• Cause and effect, unhappy relationship may cause inequity

Applications:
• Applicable, can assist in relationship when you might seek counselling/ therapy

Bias:
• Eurocentric, doesn’t explore other relationships such as in countries where divorce isn’t an option

Question 11

What Theory did Duck propose?

Answer 11

Phase model of Relationship Breakdown

Question 12

What were the three general reasons Duck suggested for a breakdown?

Answer 12

• pre-existing doom,
• sudden death,
• mechanical failure

Question 13

What are the five stages? [I, D, S, G, R]

Answer 13

1. Intra-psychic stage,
2. Dyadic,
3. Social Phase,
4. Grave - Dressing,
5. Resurrection,

Question 14

Outline the intra-psychic stage

Answer 14

• self admitting dissatisfaction,
• spend time thinking of reasons and the way forward,
• reach a threshold of giving up

Question 15

Outline the Dyadic Stage

Answer 15

• dissatisfaction voiced to partner,
• complaints,
• rethinks alternatives to current relationship but still salvageable,

Question 16

Outline the Social Phase

Answer 16

• Distress made public to friends and family,
• Hard to salvage after social phase because other people take sides / intervene,
• Usually catalyst to end,

Question 17

Grave-dressing

Answer 17

• ‘it’s time to start a new life’ mindset,
• Signifying of closure,
• individuals have a post-relationship view favouring themselves,

Question 18

Outline the Resurrection Phase

Answer 18

• Move beyond pain / distress,
• Personal growth

Question 19

Evaluate Duck’s model

Answer 19

• A description but not an explanation,
• Suggests individuals share a mindset when not always the case, e.g. person on the receiving end usually more emotionally affected,
• Individual differences in breakup speeds,

Question 20

Evaluate Duck’s model in regards to gender differences

Answer 20

• Female and males usually have different reasons for break up, (female, lack of emotional support / male, lack of physical factors like sex),
• Females more likely to experience resurrection stage, often because of a wider support system,