Theory: Rusbult’s investments model

• Rusbult’s investment model-

  • Commitment is the largest factor in relationships lasting
  • Effected by-
  • Satisfaction = costs/rewards — social exchange theory
  • Alternatives = comparison level/options — profitable or not
  • Investments = intrinsic - directly putting in OR extrinsic - result of the relationship (biggest indicator of Commitment + psychological factor) — in = money, time, resources - out = kids, property, memories - all lost if left
• Rusbult’s investment model-

  Don’t have to be satisfied to stay committed

  maintenance strategies -

  • sacrifice elements of satisfaction
  • positive illusions = focus on positives
  • ridicule alternatives
  • forgiveness
• Rusbult’s investment model-

  CPS- Benjamin + Christopher = meta-analysis of 52 studies over 5 countries — higher commitment gave better relationships

  CPW- mainly correlation not causation - ignores external factors E.G more committed makes you more invested - correlation ca be reversed showing no clear causation
• Rusbult‘s investment model-

  CPS- abusive relationships explained = Rusbult + Marty - women in shelters were likely to return to abuser = ecological validity + shows relationships are deeper than social exchange theory suggests

  CPW- gender/beta bias = only women used
• Rusbult‘s investment model-

  W- oversimplified = Goodfriend + Agnew - investments are different in short and long term relationships

  W- opposing research = short-term relationships can be invested in the same as long-term relationships

  S- holistic model = comprehensive theory with SET, looking at different levels and contributions to relationships
• Rusbult’s investment theory-

  CPS- Rhatigan + Axzom = women who made less of an investment were less satisfied — universal, cross-culture, different sexualities

  CPW- self report is invalid due to potential social desirability