Relationships: Duck's Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown DP

Question 1

Name Duck’s phases of relationship breakdown in order

Answer 1

Intrapsychic, Dyadic, Social, Grave Dressing

Question 2

What does a person have to reach for them to be tipped to the next phase of breakdown?

Answer 2

Threshold

Question 3

“I can’t stand this anymore” is a threshold example for which phase?

Answer 3

Intrapsychic

Question 4

“I would be justified in withdrawing” is a threshold example for which phase?

Answer 4

Dyadic

Question 5

“I mean it” is a threshold example for which phase?

Answer 5

Social

Question 6

“It’s now inevitable” is a threshold example for which phase?

Answer 6

Grave Dressing

Question 7

Give a threshold example for the Intrapsychic phase

Answer 7

“I can’t stand this anymore”

Question 8

Give a threshold example for the Dyadic phase

Answer 8

“I would be justified in withdrawing”

Question 9

Give a threshold example for the Social phase

Answer 9

“I mean it”

Question 10

Give a threshold example for the Grave Dressing phase

Answer 10

“It’s now inevitable”

Question 11

In which phase does one member of the couple identify the problem but not talk about it with their partner?

Answer 11

Intrapsychic

Question 12

In which phase does confrontation occur and dissatisfactions aired?

Answer 12

Dyadic

Question 13

In which phase do the partners decide to either break up or repair the relationship?

Answer 13

Dyadic

Question 14

After which phase does a relationship break up occur?

Answer 14

Dyadic

Question 15

What two outcomes are there at the end of the dyadic phase?

Answer 15

Relationship breaks up or a desire to repair is created

Question 16

In which phase does the relationship breakdown become public?

Answer 16

Social

Question 17

In the social phase, what happens after the relationship breakdown?

Answer 17

Other people are told / it becomes public / mutual friends are encouraged to take a side

Question 18

During which phase are mutual friends encouraged to take a side?

Answer 18

Social

Question 19

During which phase is there a point of no return?

Answer 19

Social

Question 20

During which phase do we tell our own version of events and justify our decision?

Answer 20

Grave dressing

Question 21

During which phase do we present the ex-partner in a bad light?

Answer 21

Grave dressing

Question 22

Name the phase -

“I’m really fed up and I wish the relationship was over. But I can’t tell him, because he thinks everything is fine”

Answer 22

Intrapsychic phase

Question 23

Name the phase -

“We’ve told the children what’s going to happen to them and sorted out the money side”

Answer 23

Social phase

Question 24

Name the phase -

“He was too spontaneous anyway, always planning dates without even asking me”

Answer 24

Grave dressing phase

Question 25

Name the phase -

“I’m so sick of you not considering my feelings. You’re so inconsiderate”

Answer 25

Dyadic phase

Question 26

How does Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown have practical applications?

Answer 26

It has been used to create a prevention model for relationship counselling to repair relationships

Question 27

During which phases is it possible for intervention to occur?

Answer 27

Intrapsychic and Dyadic - before the actual break up

Question 28

What can a counselor encourage in the dyadic phase?

Answer 28

An open and calm discussion

Question 29

What can a counselor encourage in the intrapsychic phase?

Answer 29

To focus on the positive aspects of their relationship

Question 30

A counselor may intervene and encourage an open and calm discussion in which phase?

Answer 30

Dyadic phase

Question 31

A counselor may intervene and encourage partners to focus on the positive aspects of their relationship in which phase?

Answer 31

Intrapsychic

Question 32

Name one limitation of Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown

Answer 32

Phases criticised for being too rigid / lacks cultural relativism / based on retrospective data

Question 33

Why might Duck’s phases be criticised for being too rigid?

Answer 33

Not every person goes through each phase in the order set out by the model (many can skip from intrapsychic to grave dressing)

Question 34

How might Duck’s phase model lack cultural relativism?

Answer 34

Most of the research is carried out in Western cultures

Question 35

How might relationship breakdown differ in individualistic cultures vs collectivist cultures?

Answer 35

Relationships in individualistic cultures are voluntary and often come to an end vs. in collectivist cultures are more obligatory, less easy to end and involve wider family

Question 36

Why is Duck’s phase model based on retrospective data?

Answer 36

Participants in the studies report their experiences some time after the relationship has ended