Rusbult's Investment Model

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Anna

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  • Theories of romantic relationships:
    Rusbult’s Investment Model
    Social Exchange Theory 
    Equity Theory 
    Ducks Phase Model
  • Rusbult et al (?) overview?

    • According to Rusbult et al (2011), commitment depends on 3 factors.
    • The investment model is an extension/development of SET so some of the factors are similar (e.g. satisfaction & comparison).
    • A satisfying relationship is one where the partners are getting more out of the relationship than they expect, given social norms and their previous experiences.
  • Rusbult Diagram>
    ?
    A) ?
  • Commitment results from _ _______?
    Commitment results from 3 factors:
    • Factor 1: Satisfaction - the extent to which partners feel the rewards of the romantic relationship exceed the costs (comparison level CL)
    • Factor 2 - Comparison with alternatives (CLalt) - a judgement about whether a relationship with a different partner would increase rewards and reduce costs
    • Factor 3: Investment - the resources associated with a romantic relationship which would be lost if the relationship ended.
  • Investment Size 
    Rusbult realised that the CL and CLalt derived from SET are not enough to explain commitment. If they were, more relationships would end as soon as either the costs outweigh the rewards OR a more attractive alternative presented themselves.
  • Two types of investment:
    • Intrinsic Investments 
    • Extrinsic Investments
  • Extrinsic Investments

    • Investments that previously did not feature before in a relationship (i.e were external to it), but which  are now closely associated with it (e.g. Buying a house together, children (tangible) and shared memories (intangible).)
  • Intrinsic Investments 

    • Any resources directly put into the relationship e.g. money (tangible) and emotion, self disclosure (intangible), energy.
  • Commitment determined by _______?
    • Commitment determined by satisfaction + alternatives/comparison + investment.
    • High levels of satisfaction (more rewards with few costs) + the alternatives are less attractive + the sizes of their investment are increasing = partners will be committed to the relationship.
  • Satisfaction vs commitment:

    • Commitment rather than satisfaction is the main factor that causes people to stay in romantic relationships, satisfaction contributes to commitment.
    • This explains why, e.g. dissatisfied partner stays in a relationship when their level of investment is high. They will be willing to work hard to repair problems in the relationship so their investment is not wasted.
    Even when partners are dissatisfied, they may stay because of their significant investments, which they don’t want to lose. This explains why some partners work hard to repair damaged relationships.
  • Relationship maintenance Mechanisms 
    Committed partners use maintenance behaviours to keep the relationship going, for example:
    • Partners promote their relationship - this is ACCOMODATION
    • They also out their partners interests first - willingness to sacrifice & forgive them for serious transgressions (FORGIVENESS)
    • Unrealistically positive about their relationship (POSITIVE ILLUSIONS) whilst critiquing others (RIDICULING ALTERNATIVES).
    • Putting their partner’s interests first (WILLINGLNESS TO SCARAFICE)
  • Why people stay in abusive relationships & relationship maintenance mechanisms?
    • Unlikely a person being abused is satisfied HOWEVER they have probably invested a lot, abuse does not come until later so investment builds up. Start demonstrating maintenance mechanisms. Makes a person being abused be more accommodating.
  • Relationship Maintenance is supported by two mechanisms:
    • Behavioural Mechanisms: Committed partners practise behaviours that promote the relationship, such as avoiding retaliation (ACCOMODATION), SACRIFICING for their partner, and FORGIVING transgressions.
    • Cognitive Mechanisms: Committed partners tend to idealise their partner (POSITIVE ILLUSIONS) and devalue potential alternatives (RIDICULING ALTERNATIVES).
  • Satisfaction 

    1. Satisfaction – the extent to which partners feel the rewards of the romantic relationship exceed the costs (comparison level CL). This is based on the comparison between reward (e.g., companionship, emotional support) and costs (e.g., conflict, stress). Partners are satisfied if they perceive relationship to provide more benefits than they expected based on past experiences.
  • Comparison


    2. Comparison (CLalt) (Comparison Level of alternatives)– Partners evaluate whether their needs could be better met outside the relationship. Alternatives may include other potential relationships or even being single. A judgement about whether a relationship with a different partner would increase rewards and reduce costs.
  • Investment Size

    3. Investment size – refers to the resources put into the/associated with the relationship that would be lost if it ended. This can be intrinsic (e.g., time, emotional energy) or extrinsic (e.g., shared possessions, mutual friends, and shared memories).