Relationship - 3. Theories of Romantic Relationships: 4. Reasons for Relationship Breakdown (Duck 1992)

Question 1

What did Duck produce in 1992?

Answer 1

The phase model of relationship breakdowns

Question 2

Phase model

Answer 2

The ending of a relationship isn’t a one-off event, but a process revolving around different specific phases

Question 3

What marks each phase of the relationship breakdown?

Answer 3

Each phase can be marked by either one or both partners reaching what is referred to as a ‘threshold’, where their perception of the relationship changes

Question 4

When does the breakup process commence?

Answer 4

When one partner realises that they are not satisfied currently in the relationship

Question 5

Stage 1 of the phase model

Answer 5

Intra-psychic phase

Question 6

What does intra mean?

Answer 6

Within

Question 7

Intra-psychic phase

Answer 7

The person begins to feel dissatisfied but keeps it to themselves
Cognitive process
The individual will focus on the reasons for their dissatisfaction (mainly blaming their partner’s flaws)
They privately consult their thoughts and weigh up the pros and cons

Question 8

Stage 2 of the phase model

Answer 8

Dyadic phase (sharing phase)

Question 9

Dyadic phase

Answer 9

Interpersonal processing between two partners
Avoiding talking about the problem is no longer efficient
Dissatisfactions are brought out

Question 10

What are the two potential outcomes of the dyadic phase?

Answer 10

Agreement to repair the relationship
A determination to breakup

Question 11

Stage 3 of the phase model

Answer 11

Social phase

Question 12

Social phase

Answer 12

Breakup becomes public and then individuals will seek support and gain allies, meaning mutual friends will have to pick sides
Some friends will provide reassurance while others will be extremely judgemental forcing the blame onto one of the parties
Some may reveal previous information that was kept secret

Question 13

Stage 4 of the phase model

Answer 13

Grave-dressing phase

Question 14

Grave-dressing phase

Answer 14

Main focus is the aftermath of the breakup
The ex partners spin a story about the breakup suitable to tell in public
Each partner will try to retain social credit as they don’t want their reputation to be changed

Question 15

Attributional bias

Answer 15

Depends on who’s side you are hearing, usually involves gossiping or diminishing the other party

Question 16

During what stage is attributional bias used/present?

Answer 16

Stage 4) Grave-dressing phase

Question 17

What are the 4 stages of the phase model and briefly explain them?

Answer 17

1. Intra-psychic phase: the person feels dissatisfied and begins to weigh up the pros and cons in their head
2. Dyadic phase: dissatisfactions are brought out and it could lead to repair or breakup
3. Social phase: breakup is made public and the individuals will seek support and gain allies
4. Grave-dressing phase: each partner will share their story of the breakup in a way to retain social credit

Question 18

What was later added to the phase model as it was criticised for being incomplete?

Answer 18

Stage 5 was later added by Rollie and Duck, called the resurrection phase

Question 19

Resurrection stage of the phase model

Answer 19

Ex-partners will look forward to future relationships and look back on their past experiences. Experiences gained can be taken forward to potentially improve future ones

Question 19

How could the phase model be culturally biased?

Answer 19

The model is based on relationships in individualistic cultures where breakups are easily obtainable and don’t come with stigma (a divorce in a collectivist culture will bring stigma to the family)
Ending relationships in individualistic cultures is a voluntary choice, meaning the model is ethnocentric and lacks cultural validity

Question 20

Further weakness of the phase model other than cultural bias

Answer 20

Doesn’t explain the reasons why relationships breakdown