Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown Flashcards
what bis the phase model of relationship breakdown?
an explanation of the stages people go through when their relationship isn’t working.
Once the partner is dissatisfied, there are 4 phases in the process of relationship breakdown, each with a diff focus: intra-psychic, dyadic, social and grave dressing.
what is the first phase of relationship breakdown?
intra-psychic phase
what threshold is reached in the intra-psychic phase?
‘I can’t stand this anymore’. indicating a determination that something has to change.
what happens during the intra-psychic phase?
Focus is on cognitive processes occurring within individual.
Dissatisfied partner worries about the reasons for their dissatisfaction, focusing mostly on their partners shortcomings.
Partner thinks in private or may share their thoughts with trusted friend.
Partner weighs up pros and cons of relationship and evaluates these against the alternatives.
Begin to make plans for future.
what is the second stage of relationship b reakdown?
dyadic phase
what threshold is reached during the dyadic phase?
partner comes to conclusion, ‘I would be justified in withdrawing’
what happens during the dyadic phase?
focus is on interpersonal processes between partners.
partners have to talk about their relationship.
series of confrontations in which relationship is discussed and dissatisfaction aired. these are characterised by hostility, anxiety, complaints about lack of equity, resentment over imbalanced roles an a rethinking of the commitment.
2 possible outcomes - determination to keep breaking up, or a desire to repair their relationship.
deeper and more frequent self-disclosures.
what is the third phase of relationship development?
social phase
what is the threshold of the social phase?
dissatisfied partner concludes, ‘I mean it’
what happens during the social phase?
focus is on wider processes involving couples social networks.
break-up made public.
partners seek support and try to forge facts.
mutual friends pick a side
gossip is traded and encouraged.
some friends provide encouragement and reassurance. Others place the blame on 1 partner or the other.
others try to fix the relationship.
point of no return for relationship.
what is the fourth and final phase for relationship breakdown?
grave dressing phase
what is the threshold in the grave dressing phase?
‘It’s now inevitable’
what happens in the grave dressing phase?
focus of phase is on aftermath.
relationship buried and favorable story ‘spun’ for public consumption - allows partners to save face and maintain a positive reputation, usually at expense of the other partner, showing them in a bad light.
gossip is important
each partner tries to retain social credit by blaming the relationship on everyone but themselves.
creates personal story you can live with which may differ from the public one. More to do with tidying up mems with a degree of rewriting history.
traits found endearing at the beginning are now seen in a negative fashion.
threshold finally reached, ‘ time to get a new life’
what happens in the grave dressing phase?
focus of phase is on aftermath.
relationship buried and favorable story ‘spun’ for public consumption - allows partners to save face and maintain a positive reputation, usually at expense of the other partner, showing them in a bad light.
gossip is important
each partner tries to retain social credit by blaming the relationship on everyone but themselves.
creates personal story you can live with which may differ from the public one. More to do with tidying up mems with a degree of rewriting history.
traits found endearing at the beginning are now seen in a negative fashion.
threshold finally reached, ‘ time to get a new life’
for an evaluation point, what phase did Duck and Rollie (2006) add after grave dressing?
the resurrection phase.
