Theories of romantic relationships: Rusbult's investment model

Question 1

Rusbalt’s investment model

Answer 1

Model of factors that commitment depend on-

Satisfaction
Comparison with alternatives
Investment

Question 2

Factor 1: Satisfaction

Answer 2

Satisfying relationship has many rewards (e.g support)/little costs (e.g conflict)

Partners satisfied as getting more out of relationships than expected

Question 3

Factor 2: Comparison with alternatives

Answer 3

Partners wonder if there would be more rewards/costs if they left the relationship

Question 4

Factor 3: Investment

Answer 4

Resources associated with romantic relationship which partners would lose if it ended
-Sizes should be increasing

Intrinsic/Extinsic

Question 5

Intrinsic investments

Answer 5

Anything we put directly into relationship e.g money/self-disclosure

Question 6

Extrinsic investments

Answer 6

We put in when relationship already forms and it becomes associated with it

e.g possessions bought together like a car/shared memories

Question 7

What did Rusbalt argue

Answer 7

Commitment main psychological factor that causes ppl to stay
Satisfaction is contributory

Question 8

Rusbult’s investment model explaining why dissatisfied partners stay in relationship

Answer 8

They are commited because they made an investment

Question 9

Behavioural relationship maintenance mechanisms

Answer 9

Accommodation- Promoting relationship to next stage
Willingness to sacrifice- Put partner’s interests first
Forgiveness

Question 10

Cognitive relationship maintenance mechanisms

Answer 10

Positive illusions-Unrealistically positive about their partner
Ridiculing alternatives- Negative about tempting alternatives

Question 11

Strength of the investment model

Answer 11

Research support
-e.g Le/Agnew meta-analysis found all factors of modelpredicted committment/relationships with greatest committment most stable/long lasting
-Same for all cultures/sexes

Suggests validity to Rusbult’s claims that these factors are universally important in romantic relationships

Question 12

Counterpoint to research support

Answer 12

Most studies correlational so can’t establish cause and effect
-e.g maybe more committed=more willing to make investments so actually reverse order

So not clear that model has identified the causes of commitment rather than factors that are associated with them

Question 13

Strength 2 of investment model- explains…

Answer 13

Explains abusive relationships
-e.g Rusbult studied abused women and found the more investments they made the more likely they would return as dissatisfied with relationship but still committed

So model explains how commitment not satisfaction makes ppl stay

Question 14

Weakness of investment model

Answer 14

Oversimplifies investment
-e.g Goodfriend/Agnew said not just what you put into relationship but also future plans that couple’s commit to

So original model limited as fails to recognise how planning for future influences commitment