Argue an economic theory with partners seeing relationships similar to business of cost-benefit analysis, maximising the rewards and minimising the losses
Rewards
Self esteem, financial security, sex
Costs
Time, emotional instability, money
Comparison Levels
Comparing to previous partners/relationships to get an idea of how rewarding/costly the current relationship is
Comparison to Alternatives
Looking at other potential partners, determining if there is higher rewards with them
(+) A03: Spreecher (2001)
101 couples, when comparison levels for alternatives was high, commitment and satisfaction tended to be low producing a negative correlation, supporting influence of comparison levels in relationship satisfaction
(-) A03: Rusbult (1983)
Longitudinal questionnaire on cost, reward, comparison using 17 males and 17 females
Found that cost-benefit analysis applied less to the start of the relationship but was considered as it developed
(-) A03: Subjective
The terms cost and benefit are subjective between couples, having different focuses, not a generalisable theory for all couples as they interpret it differently
