Relationships - Theories of romantic relationships : Duck's Phase Model

Question 1

What did Duck suggest ?

Answer 1

There is a process of relationship breakdown. It occurs in 4 stages, each marked by a threshold or a change in each partner’s perception which leads them to the next stage.

Question 2

What is the first threshold and phase?

Answer 2

‘I am done’ = Intrapsychic

Question 3

What behaviours are typical of the Intrapsychic phase?

Answer 3

Focuses on partner’s behaviour/ adequacy
Express or repress
Considers costs of withdrawal
Burdened by feelings of resentment

Question 4

What is the second threshold and phase?

Answer 4

‘I am justified’ = Dyadic

Question 5

What behaviours are typical of the Dyadic phase?

Answer 5

Confrontation or avoidance
Repair or reconciliation
Joint assessment of withdrawal
Feelings of guilt or anger
The relationship might be saved if both partners are motivated to resolve the issues and so avoid a break up

Question 6

What is the third threshold and phase?

Answer 6

‘I mean it’ = social

Question 7

What behaviours are typical of the Social phase?

Answer 7

Initiate public network
Face up to effects
Create public account
Others get involved

Question 8

What is the fourth threshold and phase?

Answer 8

‘This is inevitable’ = grave dressing

Question 9

What behaviours are typical of the ‘Grave dressing’ phase?

Answer 9

Getting over it activities
Retrospective PM
Public distribution of own version
Tries to justify their actions
Individuals may also strategically reinterpret their view of the partner

Question 10

What threshold was added to the model later on?

Answer 10

‘I am better off’ = Resurrection

Question 10

What threshold was added to the model later on?

Answer 10

‘I am better off’ = Resurrection

Question 11

What are behaviours typical of the Resurrection phase?

Answer 11

Reconfiguration of oneself
Preparing for a new relationship
Emotional detachment from previous state

Question 12

Give strengths of Duck’s phase model

Answer 12

+ face validity as it is relatable

+ Dissolution as a process is applicable to friendship

+ Takes social context and integrity into account

+ Modifications made

Question 13

Give limitations of Duck’s phase model

Answer 13

• Does not explain dissatisfaction in the first place
• Not universal
• Does not take into account homosexual relationships so can’t be applied
• Simplistic

Question 14

Why does Duck’s model fail to reflect the possibility of personal growth ?

Answer 14

Duck introduced a new model with a final phase of ‘resurrection processes’ to create the possibility for personal growth . Duck stressed that for many people , this is an opportunity to move beyond the distress associated with the ending of a relationship and instead engage with the process of personal growth

There is research support for this new phase. Tashiro and Frazier surveyed 92 undergraduates who had been recently broken up with a romantic partner. Respondents typically reported that they had not only experienced emotional distress but also personal growth as predicted by Duck’s updated model.

Question 15

Explain why the impact of the social phase varies by type of relationship

Answer 15

Duck suggests that the nature and impact of the social phase experienced during breakup depends on the sort of relationship that is involved. For example, teenagers and young adults , romantic relationships are seen as more unstable than long-term adult relationships. As a result they may receive sympathy but no real attempt at reconciliation from their confidants. Whereas older people, have less expectation of finding a replacement for their present partner.

Question 16

Explain the benefits of grave-dressing (Research support)

Answer 16

Research supports the importance of the grave-dressing phase in dealing with the after-effects of relationship breakdown. The end of a romantic relationship can be a very stressful event. Monroe found that students who experienced the end of a romantic relationship in the previous year had a greater risk of developing a major depressive disorder for the first time. However Tashiro and Frazier found that individuals are able to feel better about ending a relationship when they focus on how the situation rather than their own flaws was responsible for the break up. The benefit of grave dressing , therefore is that the individual is able to create stories that play down their role in the break up and so do not threaten their psychological break up.

Question 17

Explain ethical issues in breakdown research

Answer 17

Carrying out research in this sensitive area raises particular issues of vulnerability , privacy and confidentiality (particularly for victims of abuse) . A cost-benefit analysis should be conducted to ensure that the benefits of undertaking the research outweigh the risks. This is difficult to do when dealing with vulnerable individuals attempting to cope with the trauma and emotional distress associated with break ups.

Question 18

Explain real world application of Duck’s research

Answer 18

Duck’s model emphasises the importance of communication in relationship breakdown. Paying attention to the things that people say and the topics they discuss about their relationship offers an insight into how they are feeling about the breakdown and therefore suggests appropriate interventions by friends and family. If the relationship was in the intrapsychic phase, repair might involve re-establishing liking for the partner, perhaps by re-evaluating their behaviour in a positive light . In the later stages of the model, different strategies of repair are appropriate .