Theories: Rusbult's investment Model Flashcards
What does Rusbult say commitment depends on?
Satisfaction, comparison with alternatives, investment
What is satisfaction?
Based on the concept of CL (comparison level), a satisfying relationship is judged by comparing cost and rewards. Each partner is satisfied if they are getting more out of it then previous experience.
What is comparison with alternatives?
A partner asks themselves if their needs can be met outside the relationship, not just with others but the possibility of not having a relationship at all.
What is investment?
Rusbult et al said CL and CLAlt from SET is not enough to explain commitment, as many relationships would end as soon as cost outweighs rewards
What are the two types of investment?
Intrinsic- are any resources we put directly into the relationship, can be tangible such as money and possessions but also intangible like energy
Extrinsic- Any resources that did not previously feature in the relationship but now closely feature with it tangible, children and mutual friends and intangible like memories
What did Rusbult say about satisfaction vs commitment?
Commitment is a psychological factor which causes people to stay in romantic relationships, it helps explain why dissatisfied partners may stay in relationships as they do not want their investment to go to waste.
What are relationship maintenance mechanisms?
Commitment promotes accommodation in the relationship, willingness to sacrifice and forgiveness. Committed partners are unrealistically positive (positive illusions)
What is brief AO3 for Rusbult’s investment model?
- Support from Metanalysis by Le and Agnew BUT, doesn’t suggest model causes commitment
- Explanation of relationships that involve intimate partner violence (IPV)
- Oversimplifies investment
What are strengths of Rusbult’s model?
Support from Metanalysis by Le and Agnew, reviewed 52 studies from 70s to 90s including 11.000 p’s. They found satisfaction, comparison w alternatives and investment size all predicted. Relationships in which commitment was the greatest lasted longer. Valid as universally support claims of model. BUT, correlational studies do not allow us to conclude that the factors cause commitment. It could be the more commitment the more you invest so an inverse relationships, model hasn’t identified causes of commitment rather than factors associated with it.
Explanation of relationships that involve intimate partner violence (IPV). Rusbult and Martz, studied domestically abused women and found those with the most investments and least alternatives. They were dissatisfied but still committed to them. Supports that satisfaction alone cannot show why people stay in relationships.
What are weaknesses of Rusbult’s model?
Oversimplifies investment and views it as one-dimensional. Goodfriend and Agnew, point out there is more to investment then resources you put into it. They extended the model suggesting future plans as well, they are motivated as they want to see their cherished plans work out. This means original model is limited as it fails to recognise complexity of the investment , especially planning for the future.
