rusbults investment model

Question 1

what are the three factors Rusbult said commitment depends on? (2011)

Answer 1

satisfaction level

comparison with alternatives

investment size

Question 2

what is meant by satisfaction level?

Answer 2

refers to positive and negative effect experienced in a relationship

satisfaction is influenced by the degree to which a partner meets the individuals needs e.g. emotional needs and sexual needs

if a partner is unable to meet these needs then this will be perceived as a cost and will influence their level of satisfaction

Question 3

What is meant by comparison with alternatives?

Answer 3

Refers to the perceived desirability of the best alternative to current relationships

‘could my needs be met outside the relationship?’

If the needs could be better outside of the relationship and the quality of alternatives is HIGH

if such needs are best met within the relationship the commitment is stronger

alternatives can also include the possibility of not having a romantic partner

Question 4

What is meant by investment size?

Answer 4

Rusbult realised that the comparison level and comparison level alternative from social exchange theory and not enough to explain commitment

If they were, then many more relationships would end as soon as the costs outweigh the rewards or a more attractive partner present itself therefore she introduced investment

Investment refers to the extent and importance of the resources associated with the relationship

An investment could be anything we would lose if relationship was to end

Question 5

What are the two major types of investment argued by Rusbult?

Answer 5

Intrinsic and extrinsic

Question 6

What is meant by intrinsic investment

Answer 6

Any resources that we put directly into the relationship which are less easy to quantify such as energy, emotion or self-disclosures.

Can also include money and possessions

Question 7

What is meant by extrinsic investment

Answer 7

Resources that previously did not feature in the relationship and now closely associated with it

Tangible things include possessions bought together such as a car or a house, mutual friends acquired since relationship began, children and shared memories

Question 8

What are the two variables linked with commitment

Answer 8

1. Equity - degree of fairness within a relationship

Inequity (perceived unfairness) which leads to distress and lack of satisfaction within a relationship and thus less commitment

Such distress can be relieved by ending the relationship

2. social support - degree of care and assistance available from others such as from family and friends. If such others approve of a relationship it produces a positive influence that increases commitment to the relationship

Question 9

AO3

Answer 9

She tested this idea by asking heterosexual college students to complete a questionnaire over 7 months. They noted how satisfactory the relationship was, how it compared with others and how committed they were to it. They also mentioned if it had ended. Her findings showed that all three factors affected whether the relationship would breakdown

Goodfriend and Agnew say that the model should be elaborated on to include any plans the partners have made regarding the relationship (investment). This would then mean that ending a relationship would not only result in the loss of current investments, but also future ones. As a result, this would explain why some relationships continue, when it appears that they should not. Furthermore, they provided evidence to show how strongly predictive future commitment is in relationships, suggesting the current model cannot account for all situations of commitment, and is too simple

helps to explain all types of relationships e.g. gay, lesbian, abusive