Rusbult’s investment model

• Commitment in relationships


  Depends on three factors according to Rusbult
• Investment model


  A development on the social exchange theory
• Three factors of commitment in relationships

  • Satisfaction
  • Comparison with alternatives
  • Investment
• Satisfaction


  Based on the concept of the comparison level. A satisfying relationship is judged on comparing the rewards and the costs. It is seen to be profitable if it has many rewards and few costs with each partner being generally satisfied if they are getting more out of the relationship than they expect based on previous experience or social norms
• Comparison with alternatives


  Romantic partners asking themselves whether they would be better off with someone else. Alternatives include not just relationships with others but also no romantic relationship at all if the costs are too extreme
• Types of investment


  • Intrinsic investments
  • Extrinsic investments
• Intrinsic investments


  Any resources that are put directly into the relationship (tangible things like money and possessions). These resources can also be intangibles like energy, emotion and self disclosures
• Extrinsic investments


  Resources that weren't associated with the relationship and now are such as possessions bought together (cars, houses or smaller items, mutual friends, pets or children
• If partners in a relationship are satisfied with less attractive alternatives and an increasing investment size


  They can be predicted to be committed to their relationship
• Commitment


  The main psychological factor behind staying in romantic relationships with satisfaction being a contributory factor