8. RELATIONSHIPS (Duck's Model of Relationship Breakdown) Flashcards
What does Duck argue about relationship breakdown?
Duck argued that the end of a relationship is not a one-off event but a process that occurs over time across four distinct phases.
What happens in the intra-psychic phase?
The dissatisfied partner privately reflects on their unhappiness, focusing on their partner’s shortcomings and weighing the pros and cons of staying in the relationship.
What are common behaviours in the intra-psychic phase?
The dissatisfied partner may keep their feelings to themselves, express them in personal ways (e.g., diary entries), or confide in a trusted friend.
What happens in the dyadic phase?
The couple discusses their dissatisfaction, leading to confrontation, hostility, and possibly attempts to repair the relationship.
What emotions are likely to surface in the dyadic phase?
Anxiety, hostility, guilt, resentment, and anger.
What outcomes can result from the dyadic phase?
The couple may either attempt to repair the relationship or move towards ending it.
What happens in the social phase?
The breakup becomes public, and social networks become involved, with friends and family offering support, taking sides, or even attempting to intervene.
How do mutual friends typically react during the social phase?
Some may reinforce the breakup, others may blame one partner, and some may attempt to repair the relationship.
What happens in the grave-dressing phase?
Partners construct a story about the breakup to maintain their social reputation and cope with the emotional impact.
Why is the grave-dressing phase important?
It allows individuals to create a narrative that preserves their self-image and social desirability for future relationships.
What was Duck’s revision to the original model?
He later added a ‘resurrection phase,’ where individuals experience personal growth and prepare for future relationships.
What research supports the resurrection phase?A: Tashiro and Frazier (2003) found that individuals experienced personal growth, not just distress, after a breakup.
How can Duck’s model be applied in real life?
It suggests interventions for preventing relationship breakdown by addressing issues at different stages, such as improving communication.
Why might Duck’s model not apply to all cultures?
It is based on research from individualist cultures where relationships are voluntary, whereas in collectivist cultures, relationships are often obligatory and harder to end.
How do individual differences affect the social phase of breakup?
Younger individuals may receive little social intervention, while older individuals in long-term relationships may receive more efforts to help them reconcile.
Why is retrospective research a limitation of Duck’s model?
It relies on participants recalling past breakups, which may be distorted or inaccurate, limiting the validity of the model.
