Relationships - Rusbult's model

Question 1

What is Rusbult’s model?

Answer 1

an extension of SET

suggesting that commitment depends on satisfaction level , comparison with alternatives and investment size.

Question 2

What is a satisfying relationship

Answer 2

on where partners are getting mote out of their relationship than they expect, given social norms and previous experiences

Question 3

What three things determine commitment

Answer 3

investment
satisfaction level
Comparison with alternatives

Question 4

Explain investment in determining commitment

Answer 4

the resources associated with a romantic relationship which would be lost if the relationship ended

Question 5

Explain satisfaction level in determining commitment

Answer 5

the extent to which partners feel the rewards of the romantic relationship exceed the cost

Question 6

Explain comparison with alternatives in determining commitment

Answer 6

a judgement about whether a relationship with a different partner would reduce costs and reduce rewards

Question 7

What are the two investment types

Answer 7

intrinsic and extrinsic

Question 8

Explain intrinsic

Answer 8

any resources put directly in the relationship

Question 9

Explain extrinsic

Answer 9

investments that previously did not feature in the relationships which are now closely associated with (e.g. jointly owned house)

Question 10

Explain the commitment sum (leads to commitment)

Answer 10

High levels of satisfaction (more rewards with few costs) + the alternatives are less attractive + the sizes of their investment are increasing = partners will be committed to the relationship

Question 11

Explain satisfaction versus commitment

Answer 11

commitment matters more than satisfaction this explains why for example why a dissatisfied partner stays in a relationship when their level of investment is high.

They will work hard to repair problems in the relationship so their investment isn’t wasted

Question 12

What do committed partners use to keep the relationship going

Answer 12

maintenance behaviours

Question 13

Give 5 maintenance behaviours

Answer 13

Promoting the behaviour (accommodation)
Putting their interests first (sacrifice)
Forgiving them for any serious transgressions
A partner may be unrealistically positive about their partner (positive illusions)
A partner may be negative about tempting alternatives /other peoples relationships (derogation of alternatives )

Question 14

Give three strengths for Rusbult’s model

Answer 14

Research support for the investment model
It can explain why people stay in abusive relationships
Supporting evidence is based on self-report techniques

Question 15

Explain research support for the investment model using a study

Answer 15

Le and Agnew’s (2003)

Question 16

What did Le and Agnew’s (2003) do and find

Answer 16

meta analysis review of 52 studies and looked at homosexual and heterosexual relationships found that satisfaction , comparison with alternatives and investment size all predicts commitment. where commitment was greatest , relationships were most stable and longer lasting
this is strong results as they were true for men and women in homosexual or heterosexual relationships

Question 17

What does Le and Agnew’s (2003) findings show

Answer 17

this suggests that the claim that these factors are universally important in relationships is valid

Question 18

Explain It can explain why people stay in abusive relationships as a strength of Rusbult’s model using a study

Answer 18

Rusbult and Martz (1995)

Question 19

What did Rusbult and Martz (1995) find

Answer 19

women who report making the greatest investment + who had the fewest attractive alternatives were the most likely to return to partners who had abused them
The concept of satisfaction as important to relationship duration cannot explain this tendency but the level of commitment can

Question 20

Explain supporting evidence is based on self-report techniques as a strength of Rusbult’s model

Answer 20

Self- report techniques are the appropriate research method since the model is based on subjective judgements about size of investment and alternatives which is a good approach as what matters is the partners subjective perceptions of their investment

Question 21

Why is self-report techniques a strength

Answer 21

as it is more of a valid test of the model than for example experimental research

Question 22

What are two limitations of the Rusbult’s model

Answer 22

It oversimplifies investment

Much of the research is the use of correlations

Question 23

Explain much of the research is the use of correlations as a limitation

Answer 23

Strong correlations have been established between the factors between the factors within the model but no matter how strong the correlation it does not follow that one variable causes the other

Question 24

What does research is the use of correlations show

Answer 24

as we cannot conclude form this which factors if any might cause commitment

Question 25

Explain It oversimplifies investment using a study

Answer 25

Goodfriend and Agnew (2008)

Question 26

what do Goodfriend and Agnew (2008) argue

Answer 26

that there is more investment than just the resources you have already out into a relationship .
Early in a relationship partners make very few investments but do invest in future plans which motivates them to commit so their plans

Question 27

What does Goodfriend and Agnew (2008) findings mean

Answer 27

the original model is a limited explanation s it fails to consider the true complexity of investment