Relationships - Rusbult's model Flashcards
What is Rusbult’s model?
an extension of SET
suggesting that commitment depends on satisfaction level , comparison with alternatives and investment size.
What is a satisfying relationship
on where partners are getting mote out of their relationship than they expect, given social norms and previous experiences
What three things determine commitment
investment
satisfaction level
Comparison with alternatives
Explain investment in determining commitment
the resources associated with a romantic relationship which would be lost if the relationship ended
Explain satisfaction level in determining commitment
the extent to which partners feel the rewards of the romantic relationship exceed the cost
Explain comparison with alternatives in determining commitment
a judgement about whether a relationship with a different partner would reduce costs and reduce rewards
What are the two investment types
intrinsic and extrinsic
Explain intrinsic
any resources put directly in the relationship
Explain extrinsic
investments that previously did not feature in the relationships which are now closely associated with (e.g. jointly owned house)
Explain the commitment sum (leads to commitment)
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
Explain satisfaction versus commitment
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
What do committed partners use to keep the relationship going
maintenance behaviours
Give 5 maintenance behaviours
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 )
Give three strengths for Rusbult’s model
Research support for the investment model
It can explain why people stay in abusive relationships
Supporting evidence is based on self-report techniques
Explain research support for the investment model using a study
Le and Agnew’s (2003)
What did Le and Agnew’s (2003) do and find
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
What does Le and Agnew’s (2003) findings show
this suggests that the claim that these factors are universally important in relationships is valid
Explain It can explain why people stay in abusive relationships as a strength of Rusbult’s model using a study
Rusbult and Martz (1995)
What did Rusbult and Martz (1995) find
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
Explain supporting evidence is based on self-report techniques as a strength of Rusbult’s model
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
Why is self-report techniques a strength
as it is more of a valid test of the model than for example experimental research
What are two limitations of the Rusbult’s model
It oversimplifies investment
Much of the research is the use of correlations
Explain much of the research is the use of correlations as a limitation
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
What does research is the use of correlations show
as we cannot conclude form this which factors if any might cause commitment
Explain It oversimplifies investment using a study
Goodfriend and Agnew (2008)
what do Goodfriend and Agnew (2008) argue
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
What does Goodfriend and Agnew (2008) findings mean
the original model is a limited explanation s it fails to consider the true complexity of investment
