ABSTRACT
Past research on commitment processes in close relationships has tended to adopt a dichotomous view of relationship persistence, yoked to the type of relationship under consideration. A relationship is either on or off, together or broken up. We argue against such a view, reasoning that close relationships are more suitably characterized by frequent changes in type of relations between dyad members. Little is known about how relationships may morph from one type to another, such as from a steady romantic relationship to a friendship (or vice versa). This chapter considers how people contemplate relationships with alternative others as well as alternative forms of a relationship with a current relationship partner. We focus our discussion on the concept of need fulfillment, noting how needs might be filled by different partners or by different forms of a relationship with a given person. Using the Bases of Relational Commitment Model, a new model that extends the well-known and validated Investment Model, we articulate a theoretical framework that identifies how thoughts about other forms of a relationship with a partner might help account for relative commitment to the current type of relationship experienced by dyad members. We close by describing some methodological challenges to conceptualizing relationships as dynamic and subject to change.
