Relationships - Rusbult's investment model

Question 1

what are the three factors that commitment depends on

Answer 1

• satisfaction
• comparison with alternatives
• investment

Question 2

what is satisfaction

Answer 2

• satisfying relationship is judged based on costs and rewards

Question 3

what is comparison with alternatives

Answer 3

• could needs be better with another partner or no romantic relationship

Question 4

what is investment

Answer 4

Intrinsic investments
- resources we put directly into the relationship
- tangible things

Extrinsic investments
- resources that previously didn’t feature in the relationship
- bought possessions, mutual friends

Question 5

what are relationship maintenance mechanisms

Answer 5

• enduring partner don’t engage in tit-for-tat retaliation
• put partners interests first and willing to forgive them

Question 6

what are the strengths of the investment model

Answer 6

Le and Agnew (2003)
- meta analysis of 52 studies
- satisfaction, CL and investment size all predicted relationship commitment
- outcomes the same across all cultures and genders

Explains abusive relationships
Rusbult and Martz (1995)
- studied domestically abused women and found those most likely to return made greatest investment and had few attractive alternatives
- dissatisfied with the relationship but committed

Question 7

what are the limitation of the investment model

Answer 7

Goodfriend and Agnew (2008)
- in early stages partners make very few investments
- future plans now included
- motivated to commit to each other as they want to see future plans work out