Relationships: TORR - Rusbults investment model Flashcards
Commitment to relationship depends on
satisfaction level
investment size
CLalt
What is a satisfying relationship?
partners are getting more out of than they expect, given prev experience and social norms
investment
the resources associated with a romantic relationship which partners would lose if relationship ended
Satisfaction level
extent to which romantic partners feel there reward s of relationship exceed the costs
Comparison with alternatives
judgements partners make concerning whether a relationship w a diff partner would bring more rewards and fewer costs
Types of investment
intrinsic
extrinsic
Intrinsic investments
any resources brought into relationship, tangible/intangiable items
Intrinsic tangible items
money
Intrinsic intangible items
self disclosure, energy
Extrinsic investments
resources that only exist because of the relationship
e.g children, network of friends
Extrinsic tangible items
children, network of friends
Extrinsic intangible items
shared memories
investment model
Commitment is determining factor as to whether relationship continues or nah, rather than satisfaction alone.
Development of SET
indicators that predict person is committed to relationship
high levels of satisfaction ( more rewards, few costs)
alternatives less attractive
size of investment increasing
Why does a dissatisfied partner stay in relationship
committed to their partner bc don’t want to waste investment
So, work hard to repair problems in relationship
Relationship maintenance mechanisms
promote relationship maintenance when a partner is dissatisfied, but is dependent on level of commitment
Types of relationship maintenance mechanisms
Willingness to sacrifice Ridiculing alternatives Accommodation Positive illusions Forgiveness
Willingness to sacrifice
putting partners interest first
Ridiculing alternatives
partner negative about tempting alternatives
Accommodation
promoting the relationship
Positive illusions
Partner unrealistically positive about partner
Forgiveness
forgiving any serious transgressions
Enduring partners
dont engage in tit-for-tat retaliation, instead
act in a way to promote relationship (A)
unrealistically positive about their partner (P)
Negative about tempting alternatives (R)
A03: Ecological validity
explains abusive relationships
Rusbult and Martz
A03: Rusbult and Martz
big investment + fewest attractive alternatives = most likely to stay with abusive partner
A03: Goodfriend and Agnew
doesn’t take into account investments partners make into future plans
Could motivate commitment bc want to see future plans become reality
