duck's phase model of breakdown Flashcards
what are the three broad categories as to why relationships break up?
- pre-existing doom
- mechanical failure
- sudden death
what is meant be pre-existing doom?
Incompatibility and failure are almost predestined
what is meant by mechanical failure
two suitable people of goodwill and good nature grow apart and find that they cannot live together
what is meant by sudden death
the discovery of betrayal or infidelity leads to immediate termination of a relationshp
what others factors did Duck propose as affecting the relationship dissolution?
- predisposing factors e.g. individuals bad habits or emotional instabilities
- precipitating factors such as exterior influences such as love rivals, process factors such as incompatible working hours
- lack of skills e.g. being sexually inexperienced
- lack of motivation e.g. perceiving inequality
- lack of maintenance e.g. spending time apart
ducks theory of breakdown
what is the intrapsychic phase
duck views breaking up as a personal process but one where partners regard how things will look to friends, one partner is suffiently dissatisfied over a long enough period of time to consider ending it
one partner privately perceives dissatisfaction within the relationship
thinking about, but not discussing negative aspects of partner/relationship
threshold: I can’t stand this anymore’
what is the dyadic phase?
confronting partner with negative thoughts, trying to sort out problems
dissatisfaction is discussed. if not resolved then there is a move to the next stage
threshold: I’d be justified in withdrawing’
what is the social phase
breakdown is made public
negotiation about children/finances and so on with wider family and friends becoming involved
threshold: ‘i mean it’
what is the grave-dressing stage
a post-relationship view of the break-up is established protecting self-esteem and rebuilding towards new relationships
communicating a socially acceptable account of break up
‘it’s now inevitable’
what are thresholds
