Relationship Breakdown Flashcards
What is relationship breakdown?
When one or both parties feel and believe that their relationship has run its’ course and the best course of action is to seperate/ discontinue their union
Who devised a breakdown model?
Duck
What 6 stages does the breakdown model consist of?
6 stages that describe the processes involved in dissolution or breakdown
1. Breakdown
2. Intra psychic
3. Dyadic
4. Social
5. Grave dressing
6. Resurrection
Describe the fist stage of ducks breakdown model
Stage 1: breakdown
- one of the partners becomes distressed/ dissatisfied with how the relationship is conducted
Describe the second stage of duck BM
- Intra psychic
- feelings of dissatisfaction lead to brooding or dwelling of the issues with their partner
-the disgruntled partner may start to:
A) resent the other partner
B) consider whether they might be better off out of the relationship
- the brooding or dwelling is not shared and is kept internally
Describe the third stage of the breakdown model
- Dyadic
- confrontation of dissatisfaction/ unhappiness
- two things can occur in this stage: - Maintenance/ repair strategies via therapy, time and effort (links to equity theory)
- Beginning of the end- dissatisfaction may be shared with others
Describe the 4th stage of the BM
- dissatisfaction and break up is shared with family and friends
- sharing issues with others makes it harder to deny there is a problem
- family and friends may start to take sides or may offer support
- involvement of others may speed up the breakup i.e dissatisfaction is reinforced via the opinion of family and friends
Describe the 5th stage of the BM
- justification as to the ending of the relationship
- this leads to their side as to what has happened
- the story backs up that they aren’t to blame for the breakup
- an individual is presenting themselves in a positive light
Describe the 6th stage (added in 2006) of the BM
- addresses how each partner prepares themselves for a relationship afterwards
- partners recreate a sense of their value, defining what they want to gain out of a future relationship
- it also examines what partners must avoid as they prepare for a new relationship
- they may come back to life (ie, new hair) to reinvent themselves/ make themselves appealing to others
A03 pros of the break down model
+ research support
+ stage 2 builds off ET maintenance
+ RLA- seen in real life relationships
+ updates and added in 2006
A03 cons of the breakdown model
- breakdown doesn’t always occur in that order
- cultural bias- not applicable in cultures where breakdown doesn’t occur
What are virtual relationships
Relationships formed via the internet and social networks online rather than face-to-face
They have all the appearances of real relationships: connectedness, communication and sharing
What are the two main types of VR
- Actual interactions with real people via Messenger, FaceTime, or internet dating messenger
- Interactions as a character with other characters in online chat rooms and game rooms
Pros of VR
Connectedness, communication and sharing
What age is most common for VR
Mid 20s
Cons of VR
Prone to misinterpretation, trolling, harassment and cyberbullying
What are the two theories of virtual relationships
Theory 1: Self- Disclosure in VR- based on Rubins ‘strangers on a train’ phenomenon
Theory: Gating in VR
Describe the Theory: Self-Disclosure in VR
- the revealing of personal information without the fear of being socially embarrassed is allowed via anonymity in VR
- VR allows information to be shared but without risk of it being leaked to people who know them
- based on Rubins (1975) ‘strangers on a train’ phenomenon, where individuals reveal more personal information to a stranger as they don’t have access to the individual social circle, it allows SD to occur
Theory: Self-Disclosure in VR, SD in VR
- It occurs much more easily, and this means closeness and intimacy occur much more quickly
- Are formed on shared attitudes and interests
- This means relationships for the most part are based on one true self and not a publicly presented false self
- Creates high levels of affection which are sustained when people meet (as courting/ dating has been done online)
Describe the Theory: Gating in VR
- gating refers to the barriers that limit opportunities for the less attractive, or less socially skilled to form relationships in face-to-face encounters
- VR allows for the absence of barriers
- because VR allow for anonymity, a person’s true self is more likely to be active in a VR as they can protect their actual identity
- the absence of gating means closer, more intense relationships are formed more quickly as an individual is protected because of the lack of barriers
- VR allows for a socially desirable self to be projected when looking for romantic partners
- However, VR can be manipulated based on what information you do and do not want to share
A03 SD of VR
+ research support- rosenfield and Thomas
+ temporal validity- VR are a relatively new phenomenon
+ RLA
A03 cons of SD of VR
- cultural differences lead to beta bias- Yum and Hara
- SD it not always positive- leads to stalking and catfishing
A03 pros for absence of gating in VR
+ research support- Mckenna
+ temporal validity
Define attraction
Refer to the action or power of evoking interest in or liking for someone or something