Relationship Commitment

Interpersonal Attraction

General factors influencing how and why we are drawn to others.

Interdependence Theory

A framework explaining relationships based on satisfaction, alternatives, and investments.

Investment Model

Commitment is predicted by satisfaction (+), quality of alternatives (–), and investments (+).

Commitment (Cognitive)

Psychological attachment and desire for the relationship to continue.

Commitment (Motivational)

Motivation or desire to maintain the relationship.

Satisfaction

Positive evaluation of the relationship

Quality of Alternatives

Perception of other potential partners or outcomes

Investments

Resources (money, friendships, shared traditions) that would be lost if the relationship ended.

Accommodation

Responses to a partner’s hurtful behavior, categorized by active/passive and constructive/destructive.

Exit

Active–destructive response (e.g., insulting back).

Neglect

Passive–destructive response (withdrawing, ignoring).

Voice

Active–constructive response (discussing problems).

Loyalty

Passive–constructive response (waiting, staying supportive).

Committed Partners

More likely to respond constructively (voice or loyalty).

Study: Immediate Response

Control condition showed destructive replies when responding immediately.

Study: Refrained Response

Experimental condition showed more constructive replies when delaying response.

High Commitment Behavior

Refrains from destructive behaviors after hurt.

Low Commitment Behavior

More likely to intentionally hurt back.

High Commitment Perception

Partners agree on when hurt occurs.

Low Commitment Perception

Partners disagree or fail to notice hurting each other.

Warding Off Alternatives

Strategies to maintain relationship by reducing temptation.

Derogation of Alternatives

Seeing faults in alternative partners

Derogation of Self

Acting in repulsive ways to avoid attracting alternatives.

Distancing Behaviors

Signals to others that you are unavailable (e.g., wearing a ring).

Relationship Enhancement

Idealizing the relationship or working to improve it.

Willingness to Sacrifice

Doing things you normally wouldn’t for your partner’s benefit.

Infidelity Prediction

Lower commitment predicts higher likelihood of cheating.

Passionate Love

High arousal, intrusive thoughts, physical closeness, jealousy.

Passionate Love Decline

Decreases over time due to habituation

Companionate Love

Friendship-based love with shared attitudes and enjoyment.

Companionate & Longevity

Companionate love predicts long-term relationship stability.

Measuring Love

Liking vs. loving scales

Triangular Theory of Love

Passion, intimacy, and commitment combinations (considered outdated).

Passion-Only Love

High passion, no intimacy or commitment (e.g., one-night stand).

Commitment-Only Love

High commitment, low passion (long-term companionship).

High Passion, Low Commitment

Intense attraction but unstable relationship.

Self-Expansion Theory

Love involves personal growth through inclusion of another person in the self.

Self-Expansion Growth

Partners take on each other’s traits and experiences.

Exciting Activities

Boost self-expansion and relationship satisfaction.

Freshman Study

Students in love showed growth in self-descriptive traits.

Self-Expansion Scale

60-item measure of growth in the self.

IOS Scale

Inclusion of Other in Self measure