Ducks phase model of breakdown Flashcards
Name the three reasons for relationship breakdown.
Pre-existing doom.
Mechanical failure.
Sudden death.
Describe what is meant by pre-existing doom in relationship breakdown.
Incompatibility and failure are guaranteed from the start of a relationship.
Describe what is meant by mechanical failure in relationship breakdown.
Grow apart and can no longer live together.
Describe what is meant by sudden death in relationship breakdown.
Discovery of infidelity or a traumatic incident.
Outline Ducks phase model of breakdown (2007).
duck proposed a phase model of breakdown - an explanation of the stages people go through when a relationship is perceived to not be working. one one partner is dissatisfied, there are four stages in the process each with a different focus - intra-psychic, dyadic, social, grave dressing.
Name and briefly outline the 5 stages of Ducks phase model of breakdown (2007).
Intra-physic - personal brooding.
Dyadic - Discussion with partner.
Social - Issues made public.
Grave-dressing - saving face.
Resurrection phase - Move beyond pain and distress.
Describe the intra-psychic phase of Ducks phase model of breakdown (2007).
Focuses on cognitive processes. There is a focus on the reasons for dissatisfaction and weighing up pros and cons of the relationship. Done privately, does not discuss with the partner.
Describe the dyadic phase of Ducks phase model of breakdown (2007).
Focuses on interpersonal processes. There are confrontations involving discussing the relationship and dissatisfactions. If not resolved - move onto next phase.
Describe the social phase of Ducks phase model of breakdown (2007).
Focuses on wider processes involving social networks. Break-up is made public. Friends and family get involved. Partners seek support and try to forge.
Describe the grave-dressing phase Ducks phase model of breakdown (2007).
Focuses on the aftermath. Relationship is buried and breakdown ‘spun’ into favourable story for public consumption. Protect self-esteem and rebuilding life.
discuss an incomplete model as a limitation of ducks phase model.
a limitation of the model is that it may be oversimplified.
Duck modified it to add a fifth phase after grave-dressing, the resurrection phase. focuses on the personal growth of both individuals, after the pain and distress has subsided. the couple begin to establish themselves as single individuals and begin to open themselves up to other potential partners.
they also make it clear that the progression from one stage to another is not inevitable. it is possible to return to an earlier point in any phase. the new model also emphasises the processes that occur in relationship breakdown, rather than the linear movement from one to the next.
these changes overcome a weakness of the original model, that is a limited explanation because it does not account for the complexity of break-ups - thus these changes increases the value of the phase model of relationship breakdown.
discuss methodological issues as a limitation of ducks phase model of breakdown.
a limitation of DPMOB is that most of the research relating to it is retrospective.
ptps generally give their experiences of the breakdown process some time after the relationship has ended. this means that what they recall may not always be accurate or reliable - limiting the validity of the findings and thus the support it can give the model.
ADDITIONALLY -
it is the very early stages of breakdown that tend to be most distorted or ignored, as it is almost impossible to study this phase. researchers are reluctant to study relationships at this early point as their involvement may make things worse, and hasten the ending of the relationship that might have been rescued otherwise.
this means that ducks model is based on research that ignores this early part of the process so it is an incomplete description of how relationships end.
discuss useful real life application as a strength of ducks model.
a strength of the model is that there is real life application.
the model not only helps us to identity and understand the stages of relationship breakdown, but also suggests ways to reverse it.
it recognises that different repair strategies are more effective at certain points in the breakdown process than at others.
for example, duck recommended that those in the IP stage could be encouraged to focus their brooding on the positive aspects of their partner. in the dyadic phase, improving communication could be beneficial. neither of these strategies is likely to be of much use in the later phases.
these insights could be used in relationships counselling, a real life application. this gives value to ducks model.
HOWEVER -
ducks model is less successful as an explanation of why breakdown occurs, and is instead just descriptive of the process itself.
also, it suggests that all couples go through the same stages of breakdown, not accounting for individual differences in the process.
therefore this suggests that the model is reductionist, limiting the value of the model and its generalisability to all couples in the real world.
discuss culture bias a limitation of ducks model.
a limitation of ducks model is that it is subject to culture bias.
the model, and most of the research underlying it, are firmly based on the experience of relationships in Western cultures, especially the USA.
relationships in individualist cultures are generally voluntary and frequently come to an end, whereas relationships in collectivist cultures are more likely to be obligatory, and less easy to end. in some cases there are even arranged marriages with little involvement from the partners.
romantic relationships differ between cultures, it is therefore very unlikely that the process of relationship breakdown is identical across cultures.
therefore the validity of the model is affected because although it can explain the process of breakdown in Western/individualist cultures, it does not have wider applicability to other cultures - limiting its value.
