Duck's Phase Model Of Relationship Breakdown

Question 1

What is Relationship Breakdown?

Answer 1

When one partner in a relationship becomes distressed with the way the relationship is conducted.

Question 2

What is the Order of the Phases?

Answer 2

1. Intrapsychic Phase
2. Dyadic Phase
3. Social Phase
4. Grave-Dressing Phase

Question 3

Explain the Intrapsychic Phase.

Answer 3

• first phase

- partner who is distressed or dissatisfied begins to consider whether they may be better off out of the relationship.

Question 4

What might someone in the Intrapsychic phase do or feel?

Answer 4

• feel resentment and under-benefitted.

- socially withdraw from their partner.

Question 5

Explain the Dyadic Phase.

Answer 5

• where individuals confront their partners and discuss their feelings.
• Couple becomes aware of forces bonding them and costs of bing together.

Question 6

What might partners in the Dyadic Phase do or feel?

Answer 6

• feel mix of anger and guilt.

- involve other people such as couples counselling.

Question 7

Explain the Social Phase.

Answer 7

• couples may have kept dissatisfaction secret but now spills on to family and friends.
• crucial psychological moment.
• harder to deny the existence of a problem and harder to bring about reconciliation.

Question 8

Explain the Grave-Dressing Phase.

Answer 8

• partners try to justify their actions.
• each strive to construct a representation of the failed relationship that doesn’t paint them in a bad light.
• strategically interpret their view of their ex-partner.

Question 9

What must each partner do in the Grave-Dressing Phase?

Answer 9

• present themselves as trustworthy and loyal in order to attract a new partner.

Question 10

Evaluating: What’s the extra stage that Rollie and Duck (2006) added?

Answer 10

• Resurrection Processes

- opportunity to move away from distress associated with the failed relationship and engage in personal growth.

Question 11

Evaluating: Give one Weakness of Duck’s Model.

Answer 11

• research supporting it is very controversial due to it being a very sensitive topic, so research may be perceived as invasive.
• research on vulnerable dope so could cause unnecessary emotional stress.

Question 12

Evaluating: Give on Strength of Duck’s Model.

Answer 12

• Grave-Dressing has allows individuals to create stories about their role in the breakup, which prevents their mental heath from being damaged.

Question 13

Evaluating: What is the Real World Application of Duck’s Model?

Answer 13

• it stresses the importance of communication so has made way for intervention strategies to help this.