Theories of romantic relationships- Rusbult's investment model

Question 1

what is the investment theory ?

Answer 1

• developed from SET
• when deciding to continue a relationship, potential alternative relationships and how much has already been invested are considered

Question 2

Equation on commitment:

Answer 2

commitment= satisfaction- alternatives+ investment

Question 3

what is investment size?

Answer 3

• what distinguishes investment from rewards/costs is once its invested into a relationship
• can’t be easily recovered in a breakup and hard to split
• because they may not be the same before and after

Question 4

what is extrinsic investment?

Answer 4

• resources that used to be outside the relationship but have become strongly associated
• shared friendships/ memories
• shared possessions
• activities that have become associated

Question 4

two types of investment?

Answer 4

• intrinsic
• extrinsic

Question 5

what is intrinsic investment?

Answer 5

• resources put directly into the relationship
• emotional work
• time spent
• self disclosures

Question 6

characteristics of investments:

Answer 6

• can be rewarding or costly
• shared friendships= rewarding
• money investments= costly

Question 7

how investment affects commitment?

Answer 7

• commitment is increased by the amount of investment
• a person feels locked into the connection
• ending it would mean sacrificing resources

Question 8

research on the investment theory: Rusbult (1983) Testing the investment model in relationships

Answer 8

• longitudinal questionnaire using 17 M and 17 straight couples
• questions included rewards, costs, comparison to alternative and investment
• findings indicated as relationships developed:
• increased investment size = greater commitment and a reduction in perception of the quality of alternatives

Question 9

Rusbult (1983) Testing the investment model in relationships criticisms: low validity

Answer 9

• could have low validity
• few couples will regularly ‘rate’ their relationship like he requires
• consideration of investments are likely to be an unconscious process

Question 10

research on the investment theory: Rhatigan and Axsom (2006) used the model as a scale

Answer 10

• used the scale measuring commitment, investment, alternatives and satisfaction on women who suffered partner abuse
• findings supported the models predictions
• higher commitment was linked to women who had made the most investments
• BUT these findings may not generalise to women outside of abusive relationships

Question 11

Evaluating the investment model: differing considerations of what is considered investment

Answer 11

• Le and Agnew (2003)
• meta analysis demonstrated that the model applies to at least 5 different cultures and homosexual couples

Question 12

Evaluating the investment model: correlational methods of research

Answer 12

• it could be that high investment is a result of high commitment not the other way around

Question 13

Evaluating the investment model: able to explain relationships equity and SET theories cant

Answer 13

• explains why abused partners with low profits will remain in these relationships
• how a satisfying relationship may end due to the presence of an attractive alternative and low investments

Question 14

Evaluating the investment model: good explanation for the endurance of long term relationships

Answer 14

• good at explaining the endurance of long term relationships
• not helpful in explaining how early relationships are able to survive difficulties, when investment costs are low

Question 15

Evaluating the investment model: self report and validity

Answer 15

• the use of self report in studies is due to the impossibility of setting up a controlled experiment
• these methods lack validity due to response bias