Relationships - theories of romance - Ducks phase model

Question 1

intro to ducks model

Answer 1

duck thought breaking up was a process
it involves four distinct stages and is not caused by a one off event

Question 2

what is there at each stage?

Answer 2

a threshold is met at each stage that changes the partner/partners view of the relationship

Question 3

when do breaks up begin ?

Answer 3

when the partner realises theyre dissatisfied

Question 4

what are the four phases?

Answer 4

intra-psychic
dyadic
social
grave dressing

Question 5

what is the threshold at the instra-psychic ohase?

Answer 5

‘i cant do this anymore’ the partner wants change

Question 6

what happens at the intra-psychic phase?

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

is the first phase private or public

Answer 7

PRIVATE maybe shared with a close friend

Question 8

what is the threshold at the second phase?

Answer 8

‘i would be justfied in leaving’ - they conclude after weighing up pros and cons

Question 9

what is the focus of intrapsychic phase?

Answer 9

cogntive processes in the individual

Question 10

what is the focus of the dyadic phase?

Answer 10

interpersonal process between the two partners

Question 11

what does dyadic include?

Answer 11

• over time the partners will confront each other
• they discuss relationship and their problems with it

Question 12

what are the outcomes of dyadic phase?

Answer 12

1) the partners will decide to give the re;ationship another go and fix it
2) they will continue to break up the relationship

Question 13

describe the confrontations in the dyadic phase

Answer 13

hostile, anxious, complain about lack of equity

Question 14

what is the threshold of the socieal phase?

Answer 14

’ i meant it’

Question 15

focus of social phase

Answer 15

• the wider focus including couples socieal networks

Question 16

what happens in social phase?

Answer 16

• break up is public
• partners want support
  -factions/small groups are formed
• friends will provide opinions on relationship

Question 17

what ways might friends react in social phase?

Answer 17

1) friends could be reasurring
2) others will judge
3) others may try help repair the relationship

Question 18

can couples come back from social phase?

Answer 18

at this point, probably not.
the break up accelerates and driven by social forces of other people

Question 19

what is the threshold of the grave-dressing phase?

Answer 19

its now inevitable

Question 20

focus of grave-dressing

Answer 20

aftermath of the breakup

Question 21

describe grave dressing

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

what is the gossip aspect of grave dressing

Answer 22

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

Question 23

instead of creating a story for themslves how might the process in grave dressing be

Answer 23

the partners decide to let it be simple and realise that maybe they just werent compatible so they decide to ‘get a new life’

Question 24

how might ducks original model be incomplete

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

evaluate ducks phase model

Answer 25

+ 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

Question 26

what are the methodology issues with ducks research ?

Answer 26

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