Breakdown of relationships

Question 1

Rollie and Ducks model of breakdown

Answer 1

1) Breakdown: one partner becomes increasingly dissatisfied with the relationship. If this
dissatisfaction is reaches a high enough level, there is a progression to the next set of
stages.
2) Intrapsychic: Internally: The individual may feel resentment towards their partner and become
socially withdrawn. They may start to focus on partner’s faults while considering other possible
alternatives for partners.
3) Dyadic: Relationship problems are talked about, where reconciliation may occur. Discussion at this
stage may be constructive to alleviate problems or if not, destructive conversation may lead them to
want to leave.
4) Social stage: the breakup is announced to friends and relatives, where advice and support are
sought. They may blame the other partner for the relationship breaking up so as to reduce social
implications of leaving the relationship.
5) Grave-dressing: they provide different accounts of why the relationship broke down for different listeners
They may describe how the relationship came about, what is was like and why it dissolved.
6) Resurrection: prepare for new relationships and think about what they want from a new relationship and
what they should avoid.

Question 2

What is the first stage of breakdown?

Answer 2

1) Breakdown: one partner becomes increasingly dissatisfied with the relationship. If this
dissatisfaction is reaches a high enough level, there is a progression to the next set of
stages.

Question 3

What is the second stage of breakdown?

Answer 3

2) Intrapsychic: Internally: The individual may feel resentment towards their partner and become
socially withdrawn. They may start to focus on partner’s faults while considering other possible
alternatives for partners

Question 4

What is the third stage of breakdown?

Answer 4

3) Dyadic: Relationship problems are talked about, where reconciliation may occur. Discussion at this
stage may be constructive to alleviate problems or if not, destructive conversation may lead them to
want to leave

Question 5

What is the fourth stage of breakdown?

Answer 5

4) Social stage: the breakup is announced to friends and relatives, where advice and support are
sought. They may blame the other partner for the relationship breaking up so as to reduce social
implications of leaving the relationship

Question 6

What is the fifth stage of breakdown?

Answer 6

5) Grave-dressing: they provide different accounts of why the relationship broke down for different listeners
They may describe how the relationship came about, what is was like and why it dissolved.

Question 7

What is the sixth stage of breakdown?

Answer 7

6) Resurrection: prepare for new relationships and think about what they want from a new relationship and
what they should avoid

Question 8

Advantages of the breakdown model?

Answer 8

Research support : after breakdown there is
potential for growth

Akert: There is a variation in the psychological
reactions of the breakup where the person
who initiated the breakup experiences less
negative symptoms

Question 9

Akert

Answer 9

There is a variation in the psychological
reactions of the breakup where the person
who initiated the breakup experiences less
negative symptoms

Question 10

what are the disadvantages of the breakdown model?

Answer 10

Beta bias: Duck ignores differences in the way
men/women cope with the breakdown of a
relationship.

Reductionism: reduces relationship breakdown
to particular stages.

Nurture: nature is not considered in this theory.

Methodology: questionnaires were used to
develop their theory so investigator bias may
be present in their interpretation.

Population validity: research taken within one
culture so it can’t be generalised