ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Caryl Rusbult

Caryl Rusbult was a scientist who studied how people relate to each other in romantic relationships. She wanted to understand why some couples stay together for a long time and why others break up.

Imagine you have a best friend at school that you always play with. You enjoy spending time with them, but sometimes you might disagree or have fights. That's normal!

But what if one day your friend does something that really hurts your feelings, like stealing your favorite toy or making fun of you in front of other kids? You might feel sad, angry, and disappointed.

Caryl Rusbult found that these types of negative experiences can affect how people feel about their romantic partners. For example, if your partner does something that really upsets you, like cheating or lying, it can make you feel less happy and satisfied in the relationship.

However, Rusbult also discovered that there are ways to repair these negative experiences and build stronger relationships. For example, if your friend apologizes and makes up for what they did wrong, you might feel better and forgive them.

In the same way, if your partner realizes they made a mistake and tries to make it up to you, it can help strengthen your relationship. Rusbult also found that people who feel more invested in their relationship, meaning they have put a lot of time and effort into it, are more likely to stay together through difficult times.

Overall, Caryl Rusbult helped us understand the important factors that contribute to healthy, long-lasting romantic relationships.