Relationship Breakdown Flashcards
Who’s model of relationship breakdown is studied
Duck’s model of relationship breakdown
What are the stages of relationship breakdown
Breakdown, Intrapsychic phase, the dyadic phase, the social phase and the grave dressing phase
What is the Breakdown phase of relationship breakdown
When one of the partners becomes distressed with the way the relationship is conduced
What is the intrapsychic phase of relationship breakdown
A brooding focus on the relationship and a consideration of whether things might be better outside of the relationship. The individual feels burdened by feelings of resentment and a sense of being under-benefitted.
What is communication like during the intrapsychic phase of relationship breakdown
The individual may not say anything about their dissatisfaction to their partner but may express discontentment in other ways, like a personal diary entry or through social withdrawal to take stock of their partner and the relationship. Some end relationships without ever discussing their dissatisfaction with their partner, such as by saying “Let’s stay friends”, usually disguising deeper dissatisfaction
What is the dyadic phase of relationship breakdown
When the individual confronts their partners and begin to discuss their feelings, their discontentment and the future of the relationship. Guilt or anger are likely to surface because of this discussion. The partner may also have concerns to air. Partners become more aware of the costs that would be incurred by ending the relationship.
Can the relationship be saved at the dyadic phase
It might be saved if both partners are motivated to resolve these issues and so avoid a breakup. They could seek marital therapy, or alternatively involve others in the dissatisfaction of their relationship
What is the social phase of relationship breakdown
Dissatisfaction spills over to a network of friends and family. At this point the distress experienced by the partners is made public, making it harder for the two partners to deny there is a problem and subsequently harder to bring about a reconciliation.
What might others do during the social phase of relationship breakdown
Take sides, offer advice or support and help mend disputes between the two sides. This may even speed the partners towards dissolution.
What is the grave-dressing phase of relationship breakdown
Having left a relationshp, partners attempt to justify their actions. Each partner must now present themselves to others as trustworthy and loyal if they wish to find a new partner. They strive to construct a representation of the failed relationship that does not paint their contribution in unfavourable terms
What does La Gaipa suggest about the grave-dressing phase
That each person who leaves a relationship has to leave with their ‘social credit’ intact for future use.
Who suggested people need their ‘social credit’ intact for future relationships
La Guipa
How might individuals strategiacally reinterpret their view of thier partner in the grave-dressing phase
Where they may have been initially attracted to their “rebellious” nature, they now label that characteristic as “irresponsible”. Topics are likely to be stories of betrayal by one partner, or perhaps the story of two people who worked very hard at the relationship but it wasn’t worth it
Why does Duck’s model fail to reflect the possibility for personal growth (eval)
Duck acknowledged that the model failed to reflect the possibility of relational growth post-breakdown. In a newer model he introdcued a final phase of “resurrection processes”. For many people this is an opportunity to move past the distress associated with the ending of the relationship and instead engage in personal growth. Research by Tashiro and Frazier has supported this, with many reporting personal growth as well as emotional distress after a breakup
Who found people expereinced personal growth after a breakup
Tashiro and Frazier
