Ducks Phase Model Of Relationship Breakdowm Flashcards
This model explains the stages people go through when their relationship is not working
Once a partner is dissatisfied there are four phases in the process
The intrapsychic phase
Begins when a person becomes dissatisfied and reaches “i can’t stand it anymore” threshold
Express or repress dilemma
Concerns may remain private or expressed to a close friend
Likely to brood over their dissatisfaction and partners adequacy
Evaluating the negatives of being in the relationship
Assess the positives of potential alternatives
The dyadic phase
Begins when person reaches “I am justified in withdrawing” threshold
If serious relationship, confront partner and bring concerns and dissatisfactions into the open
Feelings of guilt, anger and hostility likely to be aired
Discussions about resolving and repairing the relationship begin
If not another threshold is reached
The social phase
Begins when person reaches the “I mean it” threshold
Plans to break up openly expressed to others
Gossip/discussion among friends imitated and alliances formed
Others may take sides, offer advice/support or help mending disputes
Partners create their own face saving and blame placing accounts of the reasons for breakdown.
Usually point of no return
The grave dressing phase
Begins when person reaches “its now inevitable threshold”
Partners consolidate their own official version of the relationship story to tell others
Individuals own version designed to protect their self esteem and paint them in favourable light for future potential partners (eg “we grew apart rather than “I acted immaturely”)
Individuals may reinterpret view of their partner
A partners ‘rebellious’ nature that you were attracted to initially now becomes interpreted as irresponsibility.
Original model has been accused of being incomplete and oversimplified
Suggests that movement from one stage to the next is inevitable in linear fashion
New model accounts for possibility of returning to earlier phases
Resurrection phase : individuals take the experiences and knowledge gained from previous relationship and apply it to future ones
New model overcomes weakness of the original making it much a more valid explanation of relationship breakdown
Methodological issues making it hard to text
Based on retrospective research ie after it has long since ended
Regarded as unfair, may be distressing for the ppts and could have an adverse effect on relationship
Collected data may be inaccurate, ppts relying on memories, distorted by subjective viewpoint
Little scientific evidence to support
Model fails to explain why
Focusses on what happens once dissatisfied doesn’t explain the reasons for why
To fully understand breakdown, must look to other theories that explain reason behind it.
Flamlee “fatal attraction” - breakdown because partners enter the relationship blind to the others faults. Over time becomes increasingly difficult to overlook these faults.
Can be viewed as an incomplete breakdown
Positive real life application
Claims that by paying attention to the topics that people discuss/ how they talk about their relationship, may be possible to intervene before the breakdown progresses
Eg someone in the intrapsychic phase may be encouraged by others to reflect on strengths of their partner and think about their own contribution to the current problem
such insights could be used in relationship counselling
