relationships- theories of romantic relationships: Rusbult's model

Question 1

investment model- an extension of SET

Answer 1

-Rusbult’s investment model (2011) further developed SET
-satisfying relationship is one where partners are getting more out of relationship than they expect given societal norms and their previous experiences

Question 2

IM: commitment results for what three factors?

Answer 2

1. satisfaction
2. comparison w/ alt (CLalt)
3. investment

Question 3

IM: commitment results for satisfaction

Answer 3

-extent to which partners feel the rewards of the romantic relationship exceed the costs (comparison level)

Question 4

IM: commitment results for comparison w/alt

Answer 4

-judgement about whether a relationship with a different partner wouid increase rewards and reduce costs.

Question 5

IM: commitment results for investment

Answer 5

-resources associated with a RR which would be lost if the relationship ended.

Question 6

intrinsic investment

Answer 6

any resources put directly into the relationship (e.g. money, energy and self-disclosures)

Question 7

extrinsic investments

Answer 7

-investments that previously did not feature in the relationship (i.e. were external to it) which are now closely associated with it (e.g. a jointly-purchased house, children, shared memories).

Question 8

commitment determined by satisfaction + alternatives + investment.

Answer 8

high levels of satisfaction (more rewards with few costs) + the alt’s less attractive + the sizes of their investment are increasing = partners will be committed to the relationship.

Question 9

satisfaction vs commitment

Answer 9

-commitment is the main factor for people to stay in romantic relationships
-satisfaction contributes to this- explains why e.g. dissatisfied partner stays in relationship when investment level high. willing to work hard to repair so investment not wasted

Question 10

relationship maintenance mechanisms

Answer 10

committed partners use maintenance behaviours to keep the relationship going, for example:
-promoting relationship (accommodation)
-putting partners interests first (sacrifice)
-forgiving them for any serious transgressions (forgiveness)

Question 11

ao3 of Rusbult’s model: research support from a meta-analysis

Answer 11

-Le and Agnew’s (2003) review found satisfaction, CLalt, and investments size redacted commitment- commitment linked w/ greater stability and longevity
-outcomes true for both men and women across all cultures and for homo and heterosexual relationships
-models claim factors are universally important is valid

Question 12

ao3 of Rusbult’s model: CA to research support from a meta-analysis

Answer 12

-research studies show strong correlations between factors. but does not follow that these factors cause commitment (e.g. perhaps commitment comes before investment).
-so, not clear that the model has identified the causes of commitment rather than the factors associated with it.

Question 13

ao3 of Rusbult’s model: can explain why people stay in abusive relationships

Answer 13

-RUSBULT and MARTZ (1995) studied ABUSED WOMEN staying at a SHELTER. those reporting greatest investment and fewest alt most likely to return to abusive partners
-women in this study were dissatisfied but returned bc committed to partners
-shows satisfaction alone cannot explain why people stay- commitment and investment also factors

Question 14

ao3 of Rusbult’s model: oversimplifies investment

Answer 14

-Goodfriend and Agnew (2008) argue there is more to investment than just the resources you have already put into a relationship
-early in relationship, partners make very few actual investments but don invest in future plans- these motivate partners to commit
-means original model limited as fails to consider true complexity of investment