Duck’s Phase Model

Question 2

What is the definition of a phase model of relationship breakdown?

Answer 2

Explanation of stages people go through when relationships not working
Once one partner dissatisfied, there 4 phases in process, each with different focus:
Intra-physic
Dyadic
Social
Grave-dressing

Question 3

Outline the intra-physic phase

Answer 3

Threshold: “I can’t stand this anymore”, indicating determination something has to change
Focus = cognitive processes within individual
Dissatisfied partner broods on reasons for his/her dissatisfaction (partner’s shortcomings)
Partner mulls thoughts over privately & may share with trusted friend
Weigh up pros & cons of relationship & evaluate against alternatives. They begin plans for future

Question 4

Outline the dyadic phase

Answer 4

Threshold: “I would be justified in withdrawing”
Focus = interpersonal processes between two partners
Point when they can’t avoid talking about relationship much longer
Series of confrontations over period of time - relationship discussed & dissatisfactions aired
Characterised by anxiety, hostility, complaints about lack of equity, resentment over imbalanced roles & rethinking of commitment keeping partners together

2 possible outcomes:
Determination to continue relationship break up or desire to repair it
If rescue attempt fails, another threshold reached

Question 5

Outline the social phase

Answer 5

Threshold: dissatisfied partner concludes “i mean it”

Focus = wider process of couple’s social networks - break up made public
Partner seek support & try to forge pacts
Mutual friends find they’re expected to choose side - fractions formed - gossip traded & encouraged
Some friends provide reinforcement & reassurance - others judgemental & place blame on one partner
Some may hasten break up by releasing previously secret info
Some may try to repair relationship

Usually point of no return - break up takes momentum from social driving forces

Question 6

Outline grave-dressing phase

Answer 6

Threshold: “it’s now inevitable”

Focus = aftermath
Once relationship is dead, time comes to bury it by spinning favourable story about breakdown for public consumption for ‘social credit’
Allows partners to save face & maintain positive reputation at expense of other partner
Gossip plays important role in this phase
Includes crying personal story you can live with, may differ from real one
Traits found endearing/exciting at start now seen as negative: funny = never serious
Or some just admit they weren’t compatible from beginning

Question 7

Evaluate Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown

Answer 7

INCOMPLETE MODEL
-Rollie & Duck (2006) claimed it’s oversimplified, they added resurrection phase where partners use experience gained in future relationships
-Progression from one phase to next not inevitable: possible to return to earlier point in any phase
-new model also emphasises processes occurring in relationship breakdown rather than linear movement from one phase to next
-Changes overcome weakness to original model: limited explanation as it doesn’t account for dynamic nature of break-ups with inherit uncertainty & complexity

DESCRIPTION RATHER THAN EXPLANATION
-Duck’s model is less successful as explanation of why breakdowns occur
-Relationship threatened by partners getting too much of what they’re looking for
-Sense of humour so good at start becomes ‘he can’t take anything seriously’ later

USEFUL REAL LIFE APPLICATIONS
-Helps us identify stages of relationship breakdown & various ways of reversing it
-Useful as it recognises different repair strategies more effective at particular points in breakdown than others
-Duck (1994) recommends people in first phase focus brooding on positive aspects of partner
-Feature of first phase is communication, any attempt to improve this could be beneficial in fostering stability in relationship. Neither strategy is useful later on in other stages
-Such insights could be used in relationship counselling