Lesson 7 - ToRR: Rusbult's Investment Model

Question 1

What is Rusbult’s theory?

Answer 1

Another economic theory that is an extension of Social Exchange Theory. Similarly, it looks at alternatives, but also looks at the amount of investments a person has made in a relationship that dictates their commitment level, as well as general satisfaction levels.

Question 2

Satisfaction levels

Answer 2

The positive and negative experiences a person experiences in a relationship. In other words, the extent to which someone’s partner gratifies their domestic/sexual needs. It can be compared and influenced by previous relationships, similar to the Comparison Level (CL) in Social Exchange Theory

Question 3

Comparison/Quality of Alternatives

Answer 3

Similarly to Social Exchange Theory, this theory takes into account the persons quality of alternatives (Comparison level for the alternative, ClAlt). If their needs can be satisfied better outside of the relationship, this will decrease their level of commitment.

Question 4

Investments

Answer 4

Investments can be split into:

• Intrinsic investments, like money energy and emotion that are direct investments
• Extrinsic investments that were not present at the start of the relationship, like children, mutual friends or a house.

These are strong psychological forces that bind two people together, and the extent of these investments will increase someone’s commitment. If they were to split up, they would lose these investments.

Question 5

Commitment to the relationship

Answer 5

The extent to which someone will persist and continue with their relationship.

High satisfaction + low quality of alternatives + high investment size = commitment

Question 6

Le and Agnew

Answer 6

Research on the Investment model, strength

• Conducted a meta analysis of 52 studies between 1970-1999
• 11,000 participants across UK, USA, Israel, Taiwan and the Netherlands.
• Commitment was correlated with investments, satisfaction and alternatives:

Satisfaction and commitment had the strongest correlation of +0.68

Investment and commitment had a correlation of 0.46

Alternatives and commitment had the lowest with -0.48, which means that with less quality of alternatives, commitment was higher, which makes sense

Question 7

Strengths of Rusbult’s Theory of Investment

Answer 7

• Rusbult applied this theory to homosexual couples with the Investment Model Scale and found that all of the factors were important
• Le and Agnew (2003)
• It can explain infidelity, as their current relationship may have low satisfaction, and they might find higher quality of alternatives elsewhere. Also explains abusive relationships, as there is low satisfaction in their abusive relationship, but low quality of alternatives (they may feel like they have no options) and they have large investments (children possibly)
• Van Lange’s study (1997) supports this theory when examining all of the 3 factors. He studied students in Taiwan and the Netherlands and found evidence that high commitment levels were correlated with high satisfaction levels, low quality of alternatives and high investment size, similarly to Le and Agnew

Question 8

Weaknesses of Rusbult’s theory of Investment

Answer 8

• It can be criticised as it is difficult to measure and operationalise quality of alternatives, satisfaction and investment size. However, Rusbult responded to this by creating an Investment Model Scale which can measure these factors in a reliable and valid way.
• The studies that Rusbult used with these scales used self-reports, which increases the chance of social desirability bias, and this can negatively impact their results by making them less valid.
• Lin (1995) criticises this model because it does account for gender differences. Lin found that females tend to report higher satisfaction, poorer quality of alternatives, greater investment sizes and higher commitment compared to males. Therefore there are gender differences.