Relationships - 3. Theories of Romantic Relationships: 3. Investment Model Flashcards
Who created the investment model? When?
Rusbult 1983
Rusbult’s criticism of the SET
It isn’t totally accurate because many couples stay together despite the costs outweighing the rewards
What leads to high satisfaction in a relationship according to Rusbult?
When people have relationships where commitment and investment are thought to be high, as well as there not being high quality alternatives, it leads to high satisfaction
3 factors that contribute to commitment and what they are
Satisfaction level - do the positive aspects of the relationship outweigh the negatives?
Quality of alternatives - is there an alternative relationship that is better than the current one
Investment size - how much of my investment in this relationship would I lose if it ended?
What is investment?
Anything that a person puts into a relationship that will be lost if it ends
Two types of investment and what they are
Intrinsic investment - resources put into a relationship directly (E.g. emotions, time, effort etc)
Extrinsic investment - shared things that may be lost (E.g. shared pet, network of friends, children, possessions bought together)
Commitment
A romantic partner’s intention or desire to continue a relationship, believing a relationship has a long-term future
Two factors that strengthen commitment
One factor that weakens commitment
Strengthen: satisfaction and investment
Weaken: promising alternatives
3 things that increase commitment levels
High levels of satisfaction
Weaker alternatives
Increasing investments
Who carried out research support for the investment model in 2011?
Agnew
Method of Agnew
A meta-analysis using data collected from over 35,000 participants over a 33 year period
Findings of Agnew
Commitment is a powerful predictor of relationship success
Commitment is the main psychological factor that causes individuals to stay in a relationship, not satisfaction
Who carried out research support for the investment model in 2003?
Lee and Agnew
Method of Agnew and Lee
Meta-analysis of 52 studies from 1970-1999 with 11,000 participants from 5 countries
Findings of Agnew and Lee
Satisfaction, comparison with alternatives and investment all predicted relationship commitment
Relationships with high levels of commitment were most successful
