Theories of romantic relationships; Duck

Question 1

what is duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown

Answer 1

explanation of stages ppl go through when relationship not working

ending of relationship = not one off event, but process that takes time and goes through 4 phases, each marked by the reaching of a threshold

Question 2

4 phases of relationship breakdown

Answer 2

1. intra-psychic
2. dyadic
3. social
4. grave dressing

Question 3

when does the road to break up begin

Answer 3

once partner realises they are dissatisfied with relationship and distressed about way things are going

Question 4

what is the intra-psychic phase

Answer 4

focuses on cognitive processes occuring within individual = admits to self that they are dissatisfied with their relationship, spend a lot of time thinking about reasons for dissatisfaction and possible ways forward
- threshold of thinking reached = ‘I can’t stand this anymore’

Question 5

what is the dyadic phase

Answer 5

focuses on interpersonal processes between partners
= person confronts partner and voices dissatisfaction
- a lot of complaints coming from partner initiating break-up, e.g., lack of commitment to
relationships

dissatisfied partner also rethinks alternatives to current relationships
- threshold reached = ‘I would be justified in withdrawing’

Question 6

what is the social phase

Answer 6

focuses on wider processes involving couple’s social network
= involve friends and relatives and make distress public

once conflict reaches this stage = more difficult for couple to mend relationship
threshold reached by dissatisfied partner = ‘I mean it’

Question 7

why does the social phase usually lead to dissolution of relationships

Answer 7

friends and family take sides, intervene in couple’s relationship through reassurance/revealing secret info/hastening end/advising etc = makes reconciliation much more problematic

Question 8

what is the grave dressing phase

Answer 8

focuses on aftermath
= relationship dead, time to bury and provide favourable story about breakdown for public consumption
- each partner tries to retain some ‘social credit’ = blame end on everything but themselves

• threshold reached = ‘It’s time to start a new life’.

Question 9

strength of duck’s model

Answer 9

IRL app
= suggests relationship breakdowns can be reversed
- useful in recognising diff repair strategies more effective at diff phases
e.g., intra-psychic phase = encourage to focus worrying on positive aspects of partner
e.g., dyadic phase = improving communication and wider social skills, help foster greater stability

= insights can be used in relationship counselling

Question 10

weakness of duck’s model

Answer 10

nomothetic approach
= break-up process greatly affected by partners’ individual differences/cultural norms/values
e.g., collectivist cultures, where arranged
marriages occur and greater family involvement = break-up process not follow duck’s phases

= more detailed idiographic approach may reveal individual reasons for break-up and experiences diff couples go through
= give better understanding of issue

Question 11

weakness of social phase

Answer 11

greatly affected by individual differences

dickson = found friends and relatives see teen break-ups as less serious = wouldn’t put much effort into reconciling partners
vs. ending of relationships by older couples = seen as more distressing = put more effort into bringing them back together

= shows duck’s model won’t necessarily apply to all couples, = suggests model is unable to accurately predict breakdown in different types of relationship

Question 12

what fifth stage was added to the model and why

Answer 12

resurrection phase = ex partners turn attention to future relationships, using experiences gained from old one

• OG oversimplified