What question did this study set out to answer?

To test the predictions of the investment model regarding how satisfaction and commitment develop or deteriorate over time in romantic dating relationships.

July 1, 1983Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

A longitudinal test of the investment model: The development (and deterioration) of satisfaction and commitment in heterosexual involvements.

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Authors

CRCaryl E. RusbultVrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Discussion

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Implication

Longitudinal study reveals that satisfaction and commitment evolve through rewards and investments in dating couples, suggesting commitment levels mediate stay or leave decisions.

Key Points

To test the predictions of the investment model regarding how satisfaction and commitment develop or deteriorate over time in romantic dating relationships.
Conducted a longitudinal study tracking individuals involved in heterosexual dating relationships over time.
Tracked longitudinal changes in rewards, costs, relationship satisfaction, alternative quality, investment size, commitment levels, and breakup outcomes.
Increases in relationship rewards significantly boosted satisfaction and commitment, whereas fluctuations in costs had no significant effect on either measure.
Commitment grew as satisfaction increased, alternative quality declined, and investment size expanded; stayers exhibited gains across these variables while leavers showed the opposite trajectory.
Individuals whose partners initiated breakups experienced entrapment, continuing to invest heavily and reporting declining alternative quality despite showing low satisfaction gains.

Cite This Study

Caryl E. Rusbult (1983) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69dee466499d77a496b0d224 https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.45.1.101

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Implication

Longitudinal study reveals that satisfaction and commitment evolve through rewards and investments in dating couples, suggesting commitment levels mediate stay or leave decisions.

A longitudinal test of the investment model: The development (and deterioration) of satisfaction and commitment in heterosexual involvements.

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

A longitudinal test of the investment model: The development (and deterioration) of satisfaction and commitment in heterosexual involvements.

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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