3 - Theories Of Romantic Relationships - Duck's Phase Model

Question 1

Define Duck’s Phase Model

Answer 1

An explanation of the stages people go through when their relationship isn’t working. Begins when one person is dissatisfied and works through 4 phases of the breakup.

Question 2

What is different between Duck’s Model + the other Theories of Romantic Relationships?

Answer 2

Duck’s is the only model about relationship BREAKDOWN (not formation!)

Question 3

What are some examples of reasons relationships come to an end?

Answer 3

• Money
• Boredom
• Novelty/honeymoon phase wears off
• Different interests
• Infidelity

Question 4

What is a threshold?

Answer 4

• Point where one or both partners change their perception about the relationship (usually for the worse)
• There is a threshold at each stage

Question 5

How many phases are in Duck’s Model?

Answer 5

4

Question 6

What are the names of the phases of the model?

Answer 6

1) Intra-psychic phase
2) Dyadic phase
3) Social phase
4) Grave dressing phase

Question 7

What is the focus of the Intra-psychic phase (phase 1)?

Answer 7

Cognitive processes occurring within the individual

Question 8

What is the threshold of the Intra-psychic phase (phase 1)?

Answer 8

‘I can’t stand this anymore’

Question 9

Outline what happens in the intra-psychic phase (phase 1)

Answer 9

• Dissatisfied partner thinks about their relationship + the downsides of their partner
• Partner may share their thoughts with a trusted individual
• Pros + cons are weighed up and plans made for the future

Question 10

What is the focus of the Dyadic Phase (phase 2)?

Answer 10

Interpersonal processes between partners

Question 11

What is the threshold of the Dyadic Phase (phase 2)?

Answer 11

‘I would be justified in leaving’

Question 12

Outline what happens in the Dyadic Phase (phase 2)

Answer 12

• Partners cannot hide their dissatisfaction any longer
• Partners discuss their problems with hostility
• Relationship is either: salvaged or ended

Question 13

What are the 2 possible consequences of the Dyadic Phase (phase 2)?

Answer 13

• Relationship salvaged (discussion leads to couple deciding to seek help e.g. therapy + save the relationship)
• Relationship effectively ends (partners justified in leaving)

Question 14

What is the focus of the Social Phase (phase 3)?

Answer 14

Wider processes involving the couple’s social network

Question 15

What is the threshold for the Social Phase (phase 3)?

Answer 15

The dissatisfied partner concludes ‘I mean it’

Question 16

Outline what happens in the Social Phase (phase 3)

Answer 16

• Break up made public and gains momentum
• Partners seek support, forcing mutual friends to choose sides
• Gossip traded
• Friends either work to hasten or prevent the end of the relationship

Question 17

What are the 2 ways that friends may act towards the relationship in the Social Phase (phase 3)?

Answer 17

1) Try to hasten the end of the relationship
- Reinforce partner’s dissatisfaction
- Provide damming secret info

2) Try to help repair the relationship
- Act as a ‘fixing’ go-between

Question 18

What is the focus of the Grave Dressing Phase (phase 4)?

Answer 18

The aftermath of the relationship breakdown/break up

Question 19

What is the threshold for the Grave Dressing Phase (phase 4)?

Answer 19

‘It is now inevitable’

Question 20

Outline the Grave Dressing Phase (phase 4)

Answer 20

• Relationship has officially ended
• Dissatisfied partner realises its time to get a new life
• Partners create a public + personal story about the breakup

Question 21

What is the purpose of the public story about the breakup that is created by partners during the Grave Dressing Phase?

Answer 21

• Favours them in the public eye

- Gives them social credit, blaming other factors for the breakup: the other partner, the situation, etc.

Question 22

What is the purpose of the private story about the breakup that is created by partners during the Grave Dressing Phase?

Answer 22

• Allows the partner to live with the breakup

- E.g. positive memories of the relationship reinterpreted as negative ones that will not be missed

Question 23

Give a positive evaluation point for Duck’s Phase Model

Answer 23

Real world application

• Understanding phases of relationship breakdown + how to combat them can help salvage real relationships
• Model can be used to adapt reparation strategies based on the stage of breakdown, increasing effectiveness
• E.g. Dyadic Phase - couples therapy encouraged so a third party can help improve the quality of communication between partners, pushing them towards salvaging the relationship
• So, understanding the phases can help couples who truly love each other to stay together and combat relationship breakdown

Question 24

Give 3 negative evaluation points for Duck’s Phase Model

Answer 24

Theory is not universal (culture + gender bias)
- Concept of a universal process of relationship breakdown is flawed as romantic relationships differ across culture + gender
- Reason for relationship breakdown differs between genders:
. Women = lack of emotional support
. Men = lack of fun
- Process of relationship breakdown differs between cultures:
. Individualistic = generally voluntary decision by individual (fits model)
. Collectivist = generally harder to end, involving whole family
- Duck’s Model tries to create a universal theory which cannot exist

Duck’s original model is incomplete + simplistic

• The original model doesn’t account for complexity of breakdown
• Incomplete: Duck + Rollie added 5th ‘Resurrection Phase’
• Simplistic: Researchers argue progression through breakdown isn’t always linear (can move forwards + back through phases)
• So, Duck’s original model needs improvements to recognise relationship complexities

Early phases are less understood

• Less depth of research + conclusions about earlier stages
• Research often retrospective as ppts recall breakdown of past relationship
• Earlier stages are longer ago + memories often limited or distorted
• So, model’s explanation of earlier stages is limited compared to later ones

Question 25

What is the ‘Resurrection Phase’?

Answer 25

• 5th phase added later to the end of Duck’s Phase Model
• Hypothesised by Duck + Rollie
• Partners apply what they’ve learnt to their next relationship