Maintainence - Rusbults Investment Model

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

The investment model Rusbult et al, (2011) states that the best predictor of
whether a couple will stay together is commitment. Commitment is made up of 3
Elements: Satisfaction, Alternatives and Investment Size

Question 2

Describe Satisfaction

Answer 2

A satisfying relationship is judged by comparing rewards and costs and is seen to be profitable if it has many rewards. A partner is satisfied if they receive more rewards than expected

Question 3

Describe Comparison with Alternatives

Answer 3

Each partner compares the profit in their present relationship against nalternative relationships that might be available.
Alternatives include not just relationships with other people, but the possibility of having no romantic
relationship at all.

Question 4

Describe Investment

Answer 4

‘Investment’ refers to the extent and importance of the resources associated with the relationship. An investment is anything we would lose if the relationship were to
end. Rusbult argues that there are two major types of investment:

1. Intrinsic investments: are any resources we put directly into therelationship. They can be tangible (clear) things
   such as money and possessions.
   They can also be resources less easy to quantify (intangibles)
   such as energy, emotion, and self-disclosures.
2. Extrinsic investments are resources that previously did not feature in the relationship, but are now closely associated with it. They include possessions
   bought together or kids.

Question 5

A03 - Rusbults Measuring Methods

Answer 5

• A particular problem for the investment model is that it is difficult to measure commitment, satisfaction level, investment size, and the quality of alternatives.
  -In 1998, Rusbult et al developed the ‘Investment Model Scale’ to overcome this problem.
  -They have shown this scale to be high in both reliability
  and validity in the measurement of these variables, and have shown it to be suitable for a wide variety of different populations.

-Much of the evidence supporting the investment model relies on self-report measures which are subject to social desirability responses, such as when responding to questionnaires and interviews. However, these are
appropriate methods because it relies on the partners perceptions

-We should be cautious due to individual interpretations

Question 6

A03 - Explaining abusive relationships

Answer 6

-The investment model highlights features of the relationship that would explain why a victim of abuse might remain in the relationship. Rusbult and Martz (1995) studied ‘battered’ women at a shelter and found that those most likely to return to an abusive partner were most committed, reporting making the greatest investment and having the fewest attractive alternatives.

-The model recognises that a victim of abuse does not have to be satisfied with a relationship to stay in it.
-Hence, the model provides a convincing explanation of a difficult predicament.