COMMITMENT PROCESSES IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS - AN INTERDEPENDENCE ANALYSIS

This article employs interdependence theory as a means of understandin g how and why some relationships survive difficult times whereas other promising relationships end. Interdependence theory makes important d istinctions between satisfaction and dependence. These distinctions ar e extended in the investment model, a theory of the process by which i ndividuals become dependent on and committed to their relationships. T he investment model suggests that dependence increases not only as a c onsequence of increasing satisfaction, but also because available alte rnatives are perceived to be poor and numerous important resources are invested in a relationship. Subjective commitment summarizes the natu re of an individual's dependence on a partner, and represents broad, l ong-term orientation toward a relationship. Strong commitment not only makes individuals more likely to remain with their partners, but also promotes a variety of relationship maintenance behaviors such as adap tive social comparison and perceived relationship superiority, derogat ion of attractive and threatening alternatives, effective management o f jealousy and extrarelationship involvements, willingness to sacrific e for the good of a relationship, and tendencies to accommodate rather than retaliate when a partner behaves poorly.