Duck’s Phase Model

Question 1

What is Duck’s phase model ?

Answer 1

It focuses on relationship breakdown/termination, this occurs when one or both people in a relationship feel that it does nit work and so want it to end

There are four phases in the breakdown of relationships which happen in order.
They are: intra-psychic processes, dyadic processes, social processes and grave dresser processes.

Question 2

What are the first two of the four stages of relationship breakdown

Answer 2

Intra-psychic processes- this is when a dissatisfied partner privately thinks about their relationship. They focus on the partners faults and the fact that are under benefiting from the relationship. The partner may decide that the relationships is still fine how it is however they also might feel depressed and withdraw from interacting with their partner.

Dyadic processes- the dissatisfied partner privately communicates with their partner about their dissatisfaction. They could reconcile if a partner agrees to change or they think about the amount of investment they have together. If the dissatisfied partner still sees the relationship as not working the breakdown process continues.

Question 3

What are the last two stages of the breakdown cycle

Answer 3

Social processes- the break is made public to friends and family which means that it harder to deny and ignore. Advice and support is given from people outside of the relationship and people pick sides. Younger adults experience this more then older adults as older adults may be resigned to not being able to find another partner while younger adults are still testing the market.

Grave dressing processes- as the relationship dies and breaks down there is the need to justify our actions. We create accounts of why the relationship breaks down. People do this to make sure their social credit may be high so they tell the story of the relationship in a way that makes them seem the best. Partners may reinterpret their views about their ex partners ie rebelliousness becomes irresponsibility.

Question 4

Strengths of ducks phase model

Answer 4

• ) while it was devised in 1982 the model has been improved as time passed. A fifth phase called the resurrection phase has been added to the model in shchi a person engages in personal growth and prepares for their next relationship.
• ) the phase model is supported by the social exchange theory, the theory would states that if a relationship has high costs and minimal rewards then the relationship would breakdown.

Question 5

Weakness of Duck’s phase model

Answer 5

-) Studies have found that the role that people had in deciding if a relationship would end was the most important prediction of the breakdown experience. Those who initiate the breakdown were less stressed and depressed though did feel guilty. The person who did not initiate the end of the relationship were depressed and angry in the weeks after the relationship ended.