Relationships - Breakdown

Question 1

Theories of breakdown of relationships?

Answer 1

Reasons for relationship breakdown and model of breakdown

Question 2

Reasons for relationship breakdown researcher?

Answer 2

Duck

Question 3

Duck?

Answer 3

Reasons for relationship breakdown

Question 4

Model of breakdown researcher?

Answer 4

Rollie and Duck

Question 5

Rollie and Duck?

Answer 5

Model of relationship breakdown

Question 6

Reasons for breakdown?

Answer 6

Lack of skills, lack of stimulation, maintenance difficulties

Question 7

Research on lack of stimulation?

Answer 7

Baxter

Question 8

Baxter?

Answer 8

Lack of stimulation (e.g. boredom, belief the relationship isn’t going anywhere) often quoted as a reason for breakdown

Question 9

Research on maintenance difficulties?

Answer 9

Shaver et al

Question 10

Shaver et al?

Answer 10

Going away to uni places a great strain on existing relationships and often causes breakdown - while enduring ones can be strong enough, this often isn’t the case

Question 11

Strengths of reasons for breakdown?

Answer 11

RL applications

Question 12

Weaknesses of reasons for breakdown?

Answer 12

Reductionist
Contradictory research
Gender differences

Question 13

Reductionism in reasons for breakdown?

Answer 13

Boekhout et al

Question 14

Boekhout et al?

Answer 14

Men use more sexual reasons for affairs while more women use emotional reasons

Question 15

Contradictory research for reasons for breakdown?

Answer 15

Holt and Stone

Question 16

Holt and Stone?

Answer 16

Relationship satisfaction decreased only slightly in long distance relationships as long as they met regularly

Question 17

Gender differences in reasons for breakdown?

Answer 17

Brehm and Kassin

Question 18

Brehm and Kassin?

Answer 18

Women more likely to stress unhappiness and incompatibility, while men stress ‘sexual withholding’ for breakdown

Question 19

Real world applications of reasons for breakdown?

Answer 19

Cine et al

Question 20

Cine et al?

Answer 20

50 couples who went to couple coping enhancement training (CCET), which aimed to improve skills, reported a much higher marital quality

Question 21

Stages of model of breakdown?

Answer 21

Breakdown -> intrapsychic process -> dyadic process -> social process -> grave-dressing process -> resurrection process

Question 22

Breakdown stage of model?

Answer 22

Realisation (i.e. of inequity) leads to dissatisfaction and distress

Question 23

Intrapsychic process?

Answer 23

Brooding focus on relationships, e.g. costs, resentment, reevaluation

Question 24

Dyadic process?

Answer 24

Confront partner and begin to discuss/reassess

Question 25

Social process?

Answer 25

Going public to friends and family, who take sides, offer advice and support, try to mend disputes etc.

Question 26

Grave-dressing process?

Answer 26

Try to justify actions and present themselves as trustworthy/loyal

Question 27

Resurrection process?

Answer 27

Preparation for new relationships by redefining themselves and building on past experiences

Question 28

Threshold of breakdown stage?

Answer 28

“I can’t stand this anymore”

Question 29

Threshold of intrapsychic process?

Answer 29

“I’d be justified in withdrawing”

Question 30

Strengths of model of breakdown?

Answer 30

Supportive research

Applications

Question 31

Weaknesses of model of breakdown?

Answer 31

Ethical issues

Question 32

Supportive research for model of breakdown?

Answer 32

Tashiro and Frazier

Question 33

Tashiro and Frazier?

Answer 33

Undergraduates who’d recently broken up with their partner reported emotional distress, personal growth, new insight, ideas about the future etc. (characteristics of GD and R)

Question 34

Ethical issues with model of breakdown?

Answer 34

Issues of vulnerability, distress, privacy and confidentiality (e.g. abusive relationships), so may exclude sensitive cases

Question 35

Applications of model of breakdown?

Answer 35

By paying attention to the model’s stages a psychologist can suggest appropriate interventions