Theories Of Romantic Relationships Investment Model

Question 1

This model of relationships was decided to address the weakness of SET

Answer 1

The investment model (Rusbult) emphasises the importance of commitment in relationships

Question 2

Satisfaction

Answer 2

The extent to which romantic partners feel the rewards of the relationship (eg companionship etc) exceed the costs

Question 3

Alternatives

Answer 3

Judgment that partners make about whether an alternative relationship would provide more rewards/be better than the current one.
If alternatives are not present or no better, an individual may stay in a relationship because of a lack of better options

Question 4

Investments

Answer 4

All the resources associated with a relationship which the partners would lose if the relationship ended
Eg mutual friends
Investments increase dependence on the relationship because they increase connections with the partner that would be costly to break

Question 5

Commitment level

Answer 5

The intention or desire to continue with the relationship.

Product of high levels of satisfaction, high levels of investment and quality of alternatives being low.

This would result in the relationship continuing

Question 6

Supporting evidence from Le and Agnew

Answer 6

Meta analysis of 52 studies from 5 countries
Across all studies: satisfaction level, quality of alternative and investment size highly correlated with relationship commitment.
Relationships in which commitment was greatest were the most stable and lasted longest.

Valid explanation as it shows above variable are linked to commitment and stability

Question 7

Model is able to explain why individuals may stay in a relationship with an abusive partner

Answer 7

Victims of abuse experience low satisfaction yet many stay

Because quality of alternatives are low as well as high level of investments

Demonstrates validity of model in terms of real life investments

Question 8

Methodological issues with supporting evidence

Answer 8

Le and Agnew’s research correlational

Lack of manipulation of variables (level of investment and longevity of relationships) difficult to establish cause and effect

Question the importance of the theory due to issues of validity

Question 9

Oversimplifies investment

Answer 9

More to investment than just resources you have already put into a relationship

Eg early stages very few investments made

Goodfriend and Agnew suggest that investment should also include any plans that partners have made regarding the relationship and that this also influences commitment

Original model limited as it fails to recognise the true complexity of investment