11 - Disengaging and Terminating

Question 1

What are the communication patterns associated with break ups?

Answer 1

• Withdrawal
• Negative communication
• Lack of openness and intimacy
• Abuse

Question 2

What is the dissolution model?

Author and year

5 stages

Answer 2

Rollie and Duck 2006

1. Intrapsychic
2. Dyadic
3. Social
4. Gravedressing
5. Resurrection

Question 3

Define: Intrapsychic processes

Answer 3

Number 1

• Triggered by relational dissatisfaction or discomfort
• Determining one’s needs and feelings
• Weighing up costs and rewards
• Initial withdrawal and contemplation
• Preparing to talk to the partner

Question 4

Define: Dyadic processes

Answer 4

Number 2

• Revolve around dyadic communication
• Conflicts
• Shock and surprise
• Reconciliation
• Re-negotiation of rules and boundaries
• Communicating negative thoughts and feelings

Question 5

Define: Social processes

Answer 5

Number 3

• When couples go public about the problems in their relationship
• Seeking social support
• Complaining about partner
• Face-saving efforts (telling my side of story)
• Preparing social network for breakup
• Creating narrative to tell friends

Question 6

Define: Grave-dressing processes

Answer 6

Number 4

• Focus on coping with the break up in a socially acceptable way
• Developing and refining the break up story for different audiences
• More face-saving communication (differs for dumper and dumpee)

Question 7

Define: Resurrection processes

Answer 7

Number 5

• Closure and moving on
• Visualising future away from partner
• Taking lessons from the experience
• Revising break up story
• Exploring new alternatives