Relationships: Duck's Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown DP Flashcards
Name Duck’s phases of relationship breakdown in order
Intrapsychic, Dyadic, Social, Grave Dressing
What does a person have to reach for them to be tipped to the next phase of breakdown?
Threshold
“I can’t stand this anymore” is a threshold example for which phase?
Intrapsychic
“I would be justified in withdrawing” is a threshold example for which phase?
Dyadic
“I mean it” is a threshold example for which phase?
Social
“It’s now inevitable” is a threshold example for which phase?
Grave Dressing
Give a threshold example for the Intrapsychic phase
“I can’t stand this anymore”
Give a threshold example for the Dyadic phase
“I would be justified in withdrawing”
Give a threshold example for the Social phase
“I mean it”
Give a threshold example for the Grave Dressing phase
“It’s now inevitable”
In which phase does one member of the couple identify the problem but not talk about it with their partner?
Intrapsychic
In which phase does confrontation occur and dissatisfactions aired?
Dyadic
In which phase do the partners decide to either break up or repair the relationship?
Dyadic
After which phase does a relationship break up occur?
Dyadic
What two outcomes are there at the end of the dyadic phase?
Relationship breaks up or a desire to repair is created
In which phase does the relationship breakdown become public?
Social
In the social phase, what happens after the relationship breakdown?
Other people are told / it becomes public / mutual friends are encouraged to take a side
During which phase are mutual friends encouraged to take a side?
Social
During which phase is there a point of no return?
Social
During which phase do we tell our own version of events and justify our decision?
Grave dressing
During which phase do we present the ex-partner in a bad light?
Grave dressing
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”
Intrapsychic phase
Name the phase -
“We’ve told the children what’s going to happen to them and sorted out the money side”
Social phase
Name the phase -
“He was too spontaneous anyway, always planning dates without even asking me”
Grave dressing phase
Name the phase -
“I’m so sick of you not considering my feelings. You’re so inconsiderate”
Dyadic phase
How does Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown have practical applications?
It has been used to create a prevention model for relationship counselling to repair relationships
During which phases is it possible for intervention to occur?
Intrapsychic and Dyadic - before the actual break up
What can a counselor encourage in the dyadic phase?
An open and calm discussion
What can a counselor encourage in the intrapsychic phase?
To focus on the positive aspects of their relationship
A counselor may intervene and encourage an open and calm discussion in which phase?
Dyadic phase
A counselor may intervene and encourage partners to focus on the positive aspects of their relationship in which phase?
Intrapsychic
Name one limitation of Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown
Phases criticised for being too rigid / lacks cultural relativism / based on retrospective data
Why might Duck’s phases be criticised for being too rigid?
Not every person goes through each phase in the order set out by the model (many can skip from intrapsychic to grave dressing)
How might Duck’s phase model lack cultural relativism?
Most of the research is carried out in Western cultures
How might relationship breakdown differ in individualistic cultures vs collectivist cultures?
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
Why is Duck’s phase model based on retrospective data?
Participants in the studies report their experiences some time after the relationship has ended
