Investment Model

• Rubult's investment model (1980) is a development of social exchange theory (Thibult and Keeley 1959)
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) says there are 3 factors effecting relationships; satisfaction, comparison with alternatives, and investment
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that satisfaction is receiving more rewards than costs based on comparison level
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that comparison with alternatives is whether or not the individuals would receive better rewards and higher satisfaction elsewhere
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that investment is what we have to lose if the relationship were to end
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states one type of investment is intrinsic meaning the resources put into the relationship (Time, money etc)
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states one type of investment is extrinsic which is what has come out of the relationship (EG children, shared friends)
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that commitment = satisfaction - alternatives + investment
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) shows investment as the main factor in relationships however still sees satisfaction as important
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that commitment is maintained through maintenance behaviours such as positive illusion, ridiculing alternatives, accommodation, willingness to sacrifice, and forgiveness
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that positive illusion is being unrealistically optimistic about the relationship
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that ridiculing alternatives is being dismissive of other potential relationships
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that accommodation is promoting the relationship regardless of changes in rewards and costs
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that willingness to sacrifice is putting your partner's needs first
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) states that willingness to sacrifice is putting your partner's needs first
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) strength; cross cultural research support from Le and Agnew (2003) found relationships with higher investment to be more stable for 11,582 participants across 5 countries HOWEVER this study is only correlational
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) strength; research support from Rusbult and Martz (1995) who found women in a domestic abuse shelter were most likely to return to their unsatisfactory relationship if they had a high investment (EG children)
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) weakness; does not consider future investments as Goodfriend and Agnew found many relationships were motivated to be committed due future plans that promised an increase in investment
• Rusbult's investment model (1980) weakness; cost, benefits and investment are not scientific or concrete and measurable concepts