Testing the Rusbult Model of Relationship Commitment and Stability in a 15-Year Study of Heterosexual Couples

Bui, Khanh-Van T.; Peplau, Letitia Anne; Hill, Charles T.

doi:10.1177/01461672962212005

Cited by 191 publications

(120 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…However, in an independent test of the investment model, Bui, Peplau, and Hill (1996) noted that ''less clear support was found for the mediational components of Rusbult's model'' (p. 1256). Further, Rusbult, Verette, Whitney, Slovik, and Lipkus (1991) reported that the mediational effects of commitment were not evidenced when examining accommodation processes between romantic partners and commitment only partially mediated the relationships between the distal predictors of commitment and both cognitive interdependence , Study 1) and taking a partner's perspective (Arriaga & Rusbult, 1998, Studies 3 and 4).…”

Section: Implications For the Investment Modelmentioning

confidence: 98%

Experiencing and Communicating Romantic Jealousy: Questioning the Investment Model

Bevan

2008

Southern Communication Journal

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Section: Implications For the Investment Modelmentioning

confidence: 98%

Experiencing and Communicating Romantic Jealousy: Questioning the Investment Model

Bevan

2008

Southern Communication Journal

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“…Factors such as current relationship status and satisfaction, availability of potential romantic or sexual partners, and the mate value of romantic rivals all play a role in determining the expected payoff associated with attempts to enhance one's desirability (satisfaction, Bui, Peplau, & Hill, 1996;alternative mates, Kenrick, Neuberg, Zierk, & Krones, 1994;rivals, Gutierres, Kenrick, & Partch, 1999). Although these and similar situational effects operate outside the purview of what is typically conceptualized as the self, they may also be able to influence self-esteem.…”

Section: Two Studies Measured Self-esteem Across the Menstrual Cycle mentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Women Feel Worse to Look Their Best? Testing the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Fertility Status Across the Menstrual Cycle

Hill

Durante

2009

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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Two studies measured self-esteem across the menstrual cycle to test the prediction that self-esteem will vary interindividually as a positive function of mate value and intraindividually as a negative function of fertility status. Study 1 (n = 52) found that self-esteem was positively related to mate value between women but that women experienced a self-esteem decrease nearest to ovulation, when women tend to be more attractive to men. Study 2 (n = 59) replicated these results and demonstrated that the self-esteem decrease at high fertility was positively related to women’s reported long-term mating motivation. Additionally, the magnitude of the self-esteem decrease at high fertility was found to be related to increased willingness to spend money on items to enhance attractiveness at high fertility. A self-esteem decrease at high fertility may motivate mate value enhancement efforts when such efforts are most critical.

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“…Given that commitment represents more than simple positive evaluation-given that commitment encompasses the effects of such variables as investment size and normative support (Bui et al, 1996;Felmiee et al, 1990)---it seems unlikely that interactions with commitment are accounted for solely by the ability to bring to mind positive features of one's own relationship. Also, the commitment-superiority association was evident beyond variance attributable to ratings of specific relationship attributes.…”

Section: Alternative Interpretationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived superiority in close relationships: Why it exists and persists.

Rusbult

Lange²,

Wildschut³

et al. 2000

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

212

191

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Two studies used a thought-listing technique to examine perceived superiority, or the inclination to regard one's own relationship as better than (and not as bad as) others' relationships. Consistent with the claim that this is a motivated phenomenon--and motivated in part by strong commitment--Study 1 revealed that (a) tendencies toward perceived superiority and (b) the commitment-superiority link are both strongest given psychologically threatening instructions and weakest given accuracy instructions (control instructions are intermediate). Consistent with the claim that this phenomenon serves a functional purpose, Study 2 revealed that earlier perceived superiority predicts later relationship status (persisted vs. ended) and increases over time in dyadic adjustment. Also, commitment accounts for unique variance in perceived superiority beyond self-esteem.The beliefs individuals hold about themselves tend to be somewhat more positive than a strictly veridical view of the world can support. Research regarding the self has identified three primary forms of positive illusion, demonstrating that we exhibit excessively positive self-evaluations, exaggerated perceptions of control, and unrealistic optimism regarding the future (for reviews, see Taylor & Brown, 1988;Wood, 1989). The empirical literature reveals parallel phenomena in close relationships, demonstrating that we exhibit excessively positive evaluations of our partners and relationships, exaggerated belief in the controllability of our relationships, and unrealistic optimism regarding the future of our involvements (Buunk & Van Yperen, 1991;Martz et al., 1998;Murray & Holmes, 1993, 1997 The present research examines a phenomenon termed perceived superiority, which is defined as the inclination to regard one's own relationship as both better than and not as bad as other people's relationships: This work is based on the assumption that we do not experience our relationships in a vacuum: Although beliefs about a relationship are shaped in part by the good and bad properties of the relationship per se, beliefs are also socially defined. That is, we also understand and experience our involvements in relation to the beliefs we hold about the good and bad properties of other people's involvements.The conceptual model guiding our analysis of this phenomenon rests on three primary assertions. First, we propose that belief systems are subject to motivated processing, suggesting that individuals exhibit perceived superiority in part because they need to regard their relationships favorably. Second, we propose that commitment is a central variable in ongoing relationships, suggesting that strong commitment at least partially accounts for the inclination toward perceived superiority. Third, we suggest that perceived superiority serves a functional purpose, representing a habit of thought that supports couple well-being.Our work extends the existing literature in several respects. To begin with, our method of assessing perceived superiority examines naturally occurring...

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Testing the Rusbult Model of Relationship Commitment and Stability in a 15-Year Study of Heterosexual Couples

Cited by 191 publications

References 18 publications

Experiencing and Communicating Romantic Jealousy: Questioning the Investment Model

Experiencing and Communicating Romantic Jealousy: Questioning the Investment Model

Do Women Feel Worse to Look Their Best? Testing the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Fertility Status Across the Menstrual Cycle

Perceived superiority in close relationships: Why it exists and persists.

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