Communication Following Relational Transgressions in Dating Relationships: An Investment-Model Explanation

Testing a Model of Communication Responses to Relationship Infidelity

“…Relationship length was negatively related to exit in two out of four scenarios (the kissing and one-night stand scenarios), implying that individuals who have been in relationships longer may have more to lose from breaking up and thus indicated lower willingness to terminate relationships upon discovering an infidelity. Contrary to expectations, satisfaction was positively related to exit in the flirting and kissing scenarios rather than negatively related, as found in previous research (Guerrero & Bachman, 2008). However, this association has not been previously examined while specifically investigating responses to infidelity.…”

“…The findings indicate that different components of the investment model and relationship length predict different types of communication responses across scenarios (RQ2), a result consistent with Guerrero and Bachman (2008). Exit was predicted by a variety of investment model components but relationship length and satisfaction emerged as more consistent predictors.…”

“…Individuals who are more committed to their relationships are more likely to engage in relationship-constructive responses, voice and loyalty, and less likely to utilize relationship-destructive response, exit and neglect, compared to individuals who are less committed (Menzies-Toman & Lydon, 2005;Rusbult et al, 1991). Researchers have also found that the bases of commitment (e.g., satisfaction, investment size, and quality of alternatives) significantly predict responses to relationship conflict Communication Quarterly 421 (Dillow, Dunleavy, & Weber, 2009;Guerrero & Bachman, 2008;Rusbult et al, 1991). Overall, researchers have also found that satisfaction and investment size are negatively associated with exit and neglect and positively associated with voice and loyalty (Rusbult, 1987).…”

“…Numerous researchers have found that commitment positively predicts propensity to forgive a relationship partner (Finkel, Rusbut, Kumashiro, & Hannon, 2002), positive communication strategies (Guerrero & Bachman, 2008Roloff, Soule, & Carey, 2001), and relationship continuation following infidelity (Drigotas & Rusbult, 1992). Individuals who are more committed to their relationships are more likely to engage in relationship-constructive responses, voice and loyalty, and less likely to utilize relationship-destructive response, exit and neglect, compared to individuals who are less committed (Menzies-Toman & Lydon, 2005;Rusbult et al, 1991).…”

“…One theory that has been used to study communication responses to relationship transgressions and conflict is the investment model (Guerrero & Bachman, 2008;Rusbult et al, 1991). The investment model conceptualizes relationship commitment as including four components: satisfaction level, quality of alternatives, investment size, and commitment level (Rusbult, Martz, & Agnew, 1998).…”