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Rusbult's Investment Model - Coggle Diagram
Rusbult's Investment Model
Rusbult (1980)
Suggests the maintenance of a relationship is determined by commitment. This refers to the likelihood that the relationship will persist.
It is an economic theory
Intrinsic - put in directly, emotional, time based, broadly invisible. E.g. personal information (self-disclosure). Extrinsic - more concrete things. E.g. shared pet, children.
For commitment, satisfaction and investment are most important. Satisfaction is when outcome (rewards-costs) is greater than alternatives. Investment is anything put into the relationship.
Evaluation
Le and Agnew (2003) - meta analysis of 52 studies using Rusbult's model. Commitment found to be a significant predicter of relationship breakup. Association between commitment and its theorised bases vary minimally as a function of demographic.
Rusbult and Martz (1995) - applied model to abusive relationships. Asked women living in refuges why they had stayed with abusive partners instead of leaving as soon as it began. Women had felt greatest commitment to relationship when their economic alternatives were poor and investment was great.
Correlational research - majority of research into the model is correlational so psychologists are unable to conclude that investment causes commitment in relationships. The limits predictive validity of the model as it would fail to predict which types of investment will lead to long-term commitment in a relationship.
Satisfaction Level and Quality of Alternatives
Satisfaction Level
People vs negative emotions experienced in a relationship.
Influenced by the extent to which the other person fulfils the individual's needs.
Such as domestic, compassionate or sexual needs.
Quality of Alternatives
Extent to which an individual's needs are fulfilled outside of the relationship.
If an alternative provides superior outcomes, the individual may leave the current relationship.
If there are no alternatives, a relationship may persist for lack of options.
Sometimes having no relationship is more attractive than staying in the current one.
Investment Size and Commitment Level
Investment size
Measure of all resources put into a relationship that would be lost if it ends.
Creates a powerful psychological inducement to persist with a relationship.
Commitment Level
The likelihood an involvement/relationship will persist.
High in romantic partners who are happy with their relationship anticipate very little gain and high levels of loss if they leave the relationship.
Uncommitment
Could look like going out with friends more than being with partner, looking for alternatives. Committed looks like more self-disclosure, increased effort towards relationship.
Committed partners think about other and potential awareness in a specific and predictable way. They are unrealistically positive and negative about tempting positives.
Tells us relationships aren't just about costs and rewards. They are also about the amount you invest, how committed you are and how you think about it.