What is the relationship between satisfaction and commitment according to research?

What is the relationship between satisfaction and commitment according to research?

• A. Commitment predicts satisfaction.
• B. There is no relationship between satisfaction and commitment.
• C. Satisfaction is generally the strongest predictor of commitment.
• D. They are inversely related.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how happiness with the relationship drives a person’s decision to stay or stay invested. Research consistently shows that the more satisfied someone is with their relationship—feeling fulfilled, valued, and pleased—the more likely they are to feel committed to continuing it. Among the factors that influence commitment, satisfaction tends to have the strongest direct impact. In the well-known framework that looks at why people stay in relationships, commitment arises from several pieces, including satisfaction, investments, and perceptions of alternatives. While investments and low alternatives can boost commitment, satisfaction typically explains the largest share of why people remain attached. That’s why the best answer is that satisfaction is generally the strongest predictor of commitment. The other ideas don’t align as well with the research: commitment predicting satisfaction suggests a reverse pattern not supported as the primary driver; there is a real relationship between the two; and an inverse relationship contradicts observed positive associations between happiness in the relationship and commitment.

The main idea here is how happiness with the relationship drives a person’s decision to stay or stay invested. Research consistently shows that the more satisfied someone is with their relationship—feeling fulfilled, valued, and pleased—the more likely they are to feel committed to continuing it. Among the factors that influence commitment, satisfaction tends to have the strongest direct impact.

In the well-known framework that looks at why people stay in relationships, commitment arises from several pieces, including satisfaction, investments, and perceptions of alternatives. While investments and low alternatives can boost commitment, satisfaction typically explains the largest share of why people remain attached. That’s why the best answer is that satisfaction is generally the strongest predictor of commitment.

The other ideas don’t align as well with the research: commitment predicting satisfaction suggests a reverse pattern not supported as the primary driver; there is a real relationship between the two; and an inverse relationship contradicts observed positive associations between happiness in the relationship and commitment.