ABSTRACT
People in romantic relationships experience interconnected outcomes, which can be explored using Interdependence Theory. Within romantic relationships, partners have differing levels of dependency on the relationship to meet their needs. Some partners remain independent and do not rely on the relationship (i.e., they have actor control), others are dependent on the relationship to meet their needs (i.e., they are subject to partner control), and some people rely on both their behaviour and partner’s behaviour to meet their needs (i.e., they share joint control). People have levels of expectations regarding their relationship to which they compare their current outcomes to determine if the relationship is meeting their needs (i.e., comparison level). In addition, they compare their outcomes to alternative relationships (i.e., comparison level of alternatives). According to the Investment Model, an extension of Interdependence Theory, people are committed to their relationship when they are satisfied, see alternatives as less appealing, and are invested in their relationship.
