Josiah's concerns illustrate which commitment process in Stanley and Markman's model?

• A. Constraint
• B. Investment
• C. Satisfaction
• D. Alternatives

Answer: (A)

Constraint commitment is about staying in a relationship because leaving would bring costs or obstacles. In Stanley and Markman’s model, commitment stems from four processes: satisfaction (how rewarding the relationship feels), investments (what has already been put into it), alternatives (the appeal of other possible partners), and constraints (the barriers that make leaving difficult). If Josiah’s concerns focus on the difficulties, costs, or practical barriers of ending the relationship—such as social pressures, finances, or the impact on family—these reflect the constraint component. This is why the scenario best fits constraint commitment: it emphasizes staying because leaving isn’t easy, not because the relationship is highly satisfying or because there are no better options.