Relationships - theories of romance - Ducks phase model Flashcards
intro to ducks model
duck thought breaking up was a process
it involves four distinct stages and is not caused by a one off event
what is there at each stage?
a threshold is met at each stage that changes the partner/partners view of the relationship
when do breaks up begin ?
when the partner realises theyre dissatisfied
what are the four phases?
intra-psychic
dyadic
social
grave dressing
what is the threshold at the instra-psychic ohase?
‘i cant do this anymore’ the partner wants change
what happens at the intra-psychic phase?
- focus on cognitive process of the dissatisfied partner
- they think about why theyre dissatisfied and focus on partners failures
- this is private (or shared to close friends)
- they weigh up alternatives and pros and cons
- make plans for the future
is the first phase private or public
PRIVATE maybe shared with a close friend
what is the threshold at the second phase?
‘i would be justfied in leaving’ - they conclude after weighing up pros and cons
what is the focus of intrapsychic phase?
cogntive processes in the individual
what is the focus of the dyadic phase?
interpersonal process between the two partners
what does dyadic include?
- over time the partners will confront each other
- they discuss relationship and their problems with it
what are the outcomes of dyadic phase?
1) the partners will decide to give the re;ationship another go and fix it
2) they will continue to break up the relationship
describe the confrontations in the dyadic phase
hostile, anxious, complain about lack of equity
what is the threshold of the socieal phase?
’ i meant it’
focus of social phase
- the wider focus including couples socieal networks
what happens in social phase?
- break up is public
- partners want support
-factions/small groups are formed - friends will provide opinions on relationship
what ways might friends react in social phase?
1) friends could be reasurring
2) others will judge
3) others may try help repair the relationship
can couples come back from social phase?
at this point, probably not.
the break up accelerates and driven by social forces of other people
what is the threshold of the grave-dressing phase?
its now inevitable
focus of grave-dressing
aftermath of the breakup
describe grave dressing
- after the break up the partners wish to cover it up by spinning the story and history of the relationship
- theyll both make stories favourable to them
- so they maintain a positive rep
- also involves making a story for yourself to help you move on
what is the gossip aspect of grave dressing
gossip is important to keep a positive social credit
theyll blame the break up on anything BUT themselves i.e the other person, circumstances etc
instead of creating a story for themslves how might the process in grave dressing be
the partners decide to let it be simple and realise that maybe they just werent compatible so they decide to ‘get a new life’
how might ducks original model be incomplete
- duck and rollie added a fifth phase
- ressurection
- ex partners use past relationship experience in new relationships
- also the process is not a one way system people can go back and fourth between phases, it is not linear as originally illustrated
evaluate ducks phase model
+ PA - suggests ways relationships can be mended - this insight can be useful in realtionship counselling to help people in difficult times
- TOO SIMPLE
+ incomplete model - fith stage and not linear - og model doesnt account for complex break down and the dynamic nature of relationships
- DOESNT EXPLAIN SUDDEN BREAK UPS
what are the methodology issues with ducks research ?
it is retrospective
the research had couples look back on the early signs of breaking up in which theyve had time to change their view of how it happened/ miss remeber
this means the early stages are produced from potentially incaurate acounts
decrease internal validity
