Rusbult's Investment Model

• What model did Rusbult suggest?

  Investment model
• What was Rusbult's main component in the investment model?

  Commitment is a key factor in sustaining a relationship
• What factors does the investment model say that commitment depends on?

  Satisfaction (Rewards outweigh costs), CL of Alternatives (better alternatives=less commitment) and Investment (deterrent to leaving a relationship)
• What are the two types of investment?

  There are two types of investment- intrinsic investment is resources put directly into the relationship (for example: money, effort and possessions) and extrinsic investment arise out of the relationship (for example: children, possessions brought together)
• Why may partners use relationship maintenance mechanisms (Investment model)?


  Partners may use relationship maintenance mechanisms to maintain commitment. Examples of relationship maintenance mechanisms include: accommodation, willingness to sacrifice, forgiveness, positive illusions and ridiculing alternatives
• Why is Rusbult's model better than SET and ET?

  The investment model is better than SET and ET, as it explains why people stay in relationships that offer fewer rewards.
• Rhatigan and Axsom studied 60 women in interventions for violent relationships, what did they find?


  They found that women who reported fewer investments and more alternatives (e.g. a place to stay) were more likely to leave than those with higher investment. This demonstrates that satisfaction alone doesn't always predict the end of a relationship- but low investment might
• What did Goodfriend and Agnew suggest about the complexity of the investment model?


  Goodfriend and Agnew thought that investment itself is more complex than this model suggests. They proposed that future investments may make people feel committed- not just investment that has already happened