Determinants and Consequences of Exit, Voice, Loyalty, and Neglect: Responses to Dissatisfaction in Adult Romantic Involvements

Abstract

A survey of adult romantic involvements was conducted to test hypotheses regarding the determinants and consequences of four characteristic responses to dissatisfaction: exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect. In general, greater prior satisfaction with relationships and greater investment of resources in relationships were associated with stronger tendencies to react to problems constructively, with voice and loyalty, and lesser tendencies to react destructively, with exit and neglect. Higher quality alternatives promoted exit and inhibited loyalty. Greater problem severity encouraged exit and voice and discouraged loyalty. Voice and loyalty resulted in more favorable outcomes, better immediate consequences and greater later satisfaction and commitment, whereas exit and neglect produced less favorable consequences. The relationship between a variety of demographic characteristics and each category of response were also examined.

When accommodation matters: Situational dependency within daily interactions with romantic partners

“…Moreover, accommodation has been tied to positive relational outcomes. Accommodation is positively associated with concurrent measures of relationship wellbeing and satisfaction (e.g., Rusbult et al, 1991;Rusbult, Johnson, & Morrow, 1986) and impressively predicts greater satisfaction and stability over time (Rusbult, Bissonnette, et al, 1998). In addition, research has begun to identify mechanisms through which relationships are enhanced by accommodative behavior.…”

“…For example, stronger use of constructive (prorelationship) responses and lower destructive (self-protective) responses are associated with retrospective self-reports of greater problem resolution (Rusbult et al, 1986). In addition, by aggregating ratings of dissatisfying incidents experienced over a two-week period, Drigotas, Whitney, and Rusbult (1995) found that pro-relationship reactions were perceived to have a more constructive impact on the problem and the relationship, whereas the opposite findings emerged for the self-protective responses of exit and neglect.…”

How to get lost customers back?

“…Research in social psychology has found that creating new interpersonal relationships becomes more difficult with age (Cumming and McCaffrey 1961;Davies and Griew 1963) and that older individuals are more willing to engage into the continuance of a relationship (even in problem situations) than younger people (e.g., Bloom et al 1977;Rusbult et al 1986). Furthermore, it can be the case that adjusting to a new product is more difficult for older customers so that they are more willing to return to a known provider.…”

Conflict Resolution and Relational Patterns in the Families of Origin of Women and Men

“…the interaction of these two dimensions allows four types of behavior to be distinguished. the two constructive problem-solving strategies in the relationship are active dialogue and passive loyalty, and the two destructive strategies are active exit and passive neglect (Rusbult, zembrodt, & gunn, 1982;Rusbult, Johnson, & morrow, 1986).…”

“…The Conflict Resolution Strategy questionnaire was constructed by Kriegelewicz (2003), based on the "Problem solving Patterns" questionnaire authored by Rusbult, Johnson and morrow (1986). the questionnaire comprises 32 items that make up four scales: dialogue, loyalty, exit and neglect.…”