research

• rusbult 1983 set in relationships

  used longitudinal questionnaire study with 17 male and 17 female pps in het relationships
• rusbult 1983 set in relationships


  questions include costs, rewards, investment and comparisons with alternative
• rusbult 1983 set in relationships


  findings indicated that cost benefit applied less to start of relationships, but were considered more as relationships developed
• rusbult 1983 set in relationships


  costs and benefits were considered against alternatives who became less attractive over time and that as satisfaction increases so did commitment
• rusbult 1983 set in relationships

  suggests people do consider to end relationships by assessing alternative options and overall profit
• spreecher 2001


  study of 101 dating couples found as availability of alterative partners increased, levels of commitment and satisfaction decreased
• spreecher 2001


  suggests that either people are more satisfied when there are no alternatives, or when satisfied people will not look for alternatives
• research on activity dating couples could have low validity, very few couples regularly intensively rate their relationship as required by rusbult
• consideration of rewards and costs are more likely to be somewhat unconscious process