Caryl E. Rusbult was a

professor Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an Academy, academic rank at university, universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who pr ...

and chair of the Department of Social and Organizational Psychology at the

Vrije Universiteit The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (abbreviated as ''VU Amsterdam'' or simply ''VU'' when in context) is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands, being founded in 1880. The VU Amsterdam is one of two large, publicly funded research ...

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the Capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population ...

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

. She died from

uterine cancer Uterine cancer, also known as womb cancer, includes two types of cancer that develop from the tissues of the uterus. Endometrial cancer forms from the lining of the uterus, and uterine sarcoma forms from the muscles or support tissue of the uteru ...

on January 27, 2010. Rusbult received her B.A. in

Sociology Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of Interpersonal ties, social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. It uses various methods of Empirical ...

from

UCLA The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California St ...

(1974) and Ph.D. in

Psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries betwe ...

from the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States ...

(1978). During her time as a professor at Chapel Hill (1986–2004) she made seminal contributions to theoretical

social psychology Social psychology is the scientific study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people or by social norms. Social psychologists typically explain human behavior as a result of the r ...

including the investment model of commitment processes, a theoretical model of accommodation processes, and the Michelangelo effect. Rusbult’s Investment Model of Commitment Processes is one of the most well-known and influential theoretical frameworks in the area of close relationships. This model explains how committed partners maintain and promote their relationships by transforming personal motives to take into account the necessity of coordinating and getting along with partners. Rusbult served as an Associate Editor for the

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology The ''Journal of Personality and Social Psychology'' is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Psychological Association that was established in 1965. It covers the fields of social and personality psychology. The edi ...

(1990 to 1994) and the Encyclopedia of Psychology (1996 to 2000), and was elected to the boards of several national and international organizations (e.g., Society of Experimental Social Psychologists, International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships). The Caryl E. Rusbult Young Investigator Award has been created in her memory.

Honors and awards

*Distinguished Alumni Award, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2009) *Distinguished Career Award, International Association for Relationships Research (2008): “in recognition of a full career of eminent, notable contributions to research in, theories of, or the practice of relationships science” *William Friday Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2000–2005) *Mentoring Award, International Association for Relationship Research (2002): “in recognition of outstanding achievement in mentoring new scholars” *J. Ross MacDonald Professorship, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997–2002) *New Contribution Award, International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships (1991–1992): “to recognize new work that makes a significant and original contribution to the study of personal relationships, work that provides important new insights and has had, or holds promise of having, a substantial impact on the scholarly activity of others in the field” *Reuben Hill Award, National Council on Family Relations (1991): “to recognize that publication which best combines research and theory about a family issue” *Outstanding Faculty Award, University of Kentucky Chapter of the

Psi Chi Psi Chi () is a college student honor society in psychology with international outreach founded in 1929 at the University of Kansas in the United States. Psi Chi is one of the largest honor societies in the United States, with more than 1,150 cha ...

(1983): Excellence in teaching

References

*http://spsp.org/awards/annualawards/earlycareer/rusbult/legacy/ *http://rusbult.socialpsychology.org/

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rusbult, Caryl 1952 births 2010 deaths University of California, Los Angeles alumni University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni Deaths from cancer in the Netherlands Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam faculty Deaths from uterine cancer