Theories of romantic relationships: Rusbult's investment model Flashcards
A01
Outline Rusbults investment model
Rusbult et al investment model of commitment states that commitment depends on 3 factors
1. Satisfaction-CL
2. Comparison with alternatives (Clalt)
3. Investment
A01
Outline Factor 1 satisfaction
Satisfaction is based on concept of CL, A satisifying relationship is judged by comparing rewards & costs & seen as profitable if it has more rewards & fewer costs
each partner is satisified if getting more out of relationship than they expect based on previous experiences & social norms
Outline Factor 2 -comparison level with alternatives
comparison with alternatives results in romantic partners asking themsleves are alternative relationships more rewards & less costly if so alternatives more attractive
A01
Outline Factor 3-investment
Investment refers to the importance of the resources associated with the relationship
anything we would lose if relationship was to end:
Intrinsic investments are resources we put directly into the relationship . They can be tangible things such as money & possesions , intangible like energy , emotion & self disclosure
extrinsic investments are our resources that previosuly did not feature in relationship but are now associated with
Tangible-possessions, buying a house, mutual firends
intangible -shared memories
putting these factors together: so if partner in a relationship experiences high level of satisfaction ( because getting more rewards less costs) & alternatives less attractive & size of investement is increasing - than can predict that partners will be commited to relationship
A01
Outline Rusbults model Satisfaction vs commitment
- Rusbult et al argues commitment is main psycholgical factor causes us to stay in relationships not satisfaction
- thus dissatified partners may choose to stay in relationship because they are commitment to partner
- they are commited because they made an investment that they dont want to go to waste & thus will work hard to maintain & repair damaged relationship
Commitment refers to how determined a couple is to stay together
A01
Relationship maintenance mechanisms
Some strategies that RIM suggests to maintain commitment include:
Sacrifice on both sides- means each partner is willing to put other half first rather than persuing selfish mtoviations
positive ilusions created- involves impossible idealisation of eachother & unwillingness to acknowledge that alternatives exist
Accomodation- involves not engaging in petty points, the couple will try & protect their relationship from harm
forgiveness
A03
RIM can explain abusive relationships-high ecological validity
Strength
+ RIM features high ecological validity- as can easily explain abusive relationships,
Rusbult & Martz (1995) studied ‘battered women’ at a shelter & found that those most likely to return to an abusive partner reported making the greatest investment & had fewest attractive alternatives
Thus model recognises that a victim off IPV does not have to be satisifed in a relationship to stay in it
IPV-intimate personal violenve
Counterpoint: Rusbults theory could be used to perpetuate abusive relationships by the abuser i.e knowing that abused parter is commited to the relationship & has fewer alternatives could grant power to abusive partner
A03
RIM based on correlational research
Limitation
- Strong correlations have been found between all factors predicted by investment model.
- However even strongest correlation is not evidence of causation.
- It could be more committed you feel towards a partner the more investment you are willing to make in the relationship, so can not establish cause & effect
A03
Supporting research evidence -le & Agnew
Le & Agnew-conducted a meta analyisis of 52 studies comprimising of 11,000 p from 5 countries concluded that satisfaction, CLalt & investment size all predicted commitment, for both men & women , across all cultures & for homosexual & heterosexual couples-suggests some valdity to Rusbults claim these factors are universally important In RR
