duck's phase model Flashcards
What is Duck’s phase model?
Ending relationship is not a one off event
Each phase marked by partner reaching a threshold - perception change
What are the phases of Duck’s model?
Intra psychic
Dyadic
Social
Grave dressing
What is the threshold of the intra psychic stage?
‘I can’t stand this anymore’ - determination that something has to change
What is the intra psychic stage?
Focus on individuals cognition
Dissatisfied partner broods on partners shortcomings
May talk to trusted friend
Weigh up pros and cons against alternatives
Make plans for future
What is the threshold of the dyadic phase?
Dissatisfied partner concludes ‘I would be justified in withdrawing’
What is the dyadic phase?
Focus on interpersonal processes
Cannot avoid talking
Confrontations, dissatisfactions aired
Continue break up or desire to repair it
What is the threshold of the social phase?
Dissatisfied partner concludes ‘I mean it’
What is the social phase?
Public break up
Mutuals friends must choose a side
Gossip encouraged
Friends will provide reinforcement or be judgemental
Hasten end by providing secret info
Point of no return - gains momentum driven by social forces
What is the threshold of the grave dressing phase?
It’s now inevitable
What is the grave dressing phase?
Partners save face by spinning favourable story
Retain social credit by blaming partner or circumstances
Create personal story for self which tidies up memories
Endearing traits reinterpreted in a negative way
Move on with life
Evaluation - an incomplete model
Resurrection phase added - ex partners turn attention to future relationship using past experience
Progression to each stage not inevitable - return to earlier stages
New model by Rollie and Duck
Evaluation - methodological issues
Retrospective research - recall may not be accurate or reliable
Researcher involvement could make things worse or speed it up
Evaluation - useful real life application
Suggests ways of reversal
Duck - intra psychic phase, people should brood on positive aspects of partner
Dyadic - communication, improve this
Helpful for relationship counselling
Evaluation - descriptive
Doesn’t explain why breakdowns occur
Flemlee - fatal attraction hypothesis states causes are in attractive qualities that brought them together
Evaluation - cultural bias
Moghaddam - collectivist relationships more likely to be obligatory and involve family
Breakdown not universal
