The Rusbult Investment Model, proposed by American social psychologist Caryl Rusbult in the 1980s, is an influential theory explaining factors affecting relationship commitment. Core factors include relationship satisfaction level, quality of alternatives, and investment size. The theory suggests higher satisfaction, lower availability of alternatives, and greater investment lead to greater feeling of commitment in relationships. Over the past decades, empirical studies have provided much support to this theory. The Rusbult model offers practical implications into how to evaluate and improve relationship commitment – a key predictor of long-term relationship success and stability.
Relationship Satisfaction Level Positively Correlates with Commitment Strength
A central finding from the Rusbult model is the positive link between relationship satisfaction level and commitment strength. Satisfaction refers to the degree to which partners perceive their needs to be fulfilled. When individuals experience high levels of positive affect and low negative affect from their partners, they tend to feel more satisfied and in turn more committed to sustain the relationship. In contrast, those unhappy with their relationships perceive lower costs of ending relationships and thus exhibit lower commitment.
More Investment into a Relationship Generates Greater Commitment
The Rusbult model highlights the key role of investment size in cultivating commitment between partners. Investment encompasses resources like time, emotion, shared experiences attached to the relationship which would be lost or decline in value after relationship termination. Knowing there is more to lose if the relationships ends motivates partners to stay committed to working on differences for continuation rather than resorting easily to separation.
More Relationship Alternatives Undermine Existing Relationship Commitment
The third finding from the Rusbult model is reduced commitment when partners perceive more and/or better alternatives to their current relationships readily available. Quality alternative relationships providng intimacy and fulfillment needs outside of existing relationships negatively impact commitment. Individuals seeing greener grass on the other side so to speak become less motivated to dedicate efforts into dealing with challenges in current relationships given prospects of better options.
Rusbult Model Allows Evaluation of Relationship Commitment
The Rusbult Investment Model with its three key factors has been supported by studies to effectively explain variance in levels of commitment in intimate relationships. Partners can thus evaluate their own relationships systematically on satisfaction, alternatives, investment for mutual understanding on existing levels of commitment as well as identify areas for improvement. Enhanced commitment promises relationship longevity and success down the road provided there is agreement between partners’ commitment.
In conclusion, the Rusbult model hypothesizes and proves commitment as an essential ingredient enabling long-term relationship success is significantly impacted by satisfaction level, quality of alternatives beyond the relationships, and investment size attached to the relationships. This model offers a theoretical framework as well as practical tools for partners to evaluate and enhance their relationship commitment vital to standing the test of time amidst challenges.