Theories of romantic relationships: Duck's phase model

Question 1

Duck’s phase model

Answer 1

4 Stages that lead to break-up
Each stage= perspective change of relationship

Question 2

What are the four phases

Answer 2

Intra-psychic
Dyadic
Social
Grave dressing

Question 3

Intra-psychic phase

Answer 3

Cognitive processes:
-Worries about dissatisfaction
-Weighs up pros/cons of relationship and compares to alternatives
-Begin to make plans for the future

Question 4

What is the perception change in intra-psychic phase

Answer 4

Determined that something has to change

Question 5

Dyadic phase

Answer 5

Partners confront eachother about dissatisfactions

Question 6

Two outcomes of dyadic phase

Answer 6

Determination to continue breaking up relationship or renewed desire to repair it

Question 7

What happens to self-disclosure in dyadic phase

Answer 7

Becomes deeper as partners express thoughts/feelings the withheld in intra-psychic phase

Question 8

Perception change in dyadic phase

Answer 8

Come to the conclusion it would be justified to withdraw

Question 9

Social phase

Answer 9

Involves couple’s social networks:
-Break-up made public
-Partners seek support
-Mutual friends choose a side
-Gossip

Question 10

Result of the social phase

Answer 10

Break-up takes on momentum driven by social forces

Question 11

Grave dressing phase in public

Answer 11

Aftermath of relationship= tell favourable story about break-up to maintain positive reputation often at other partner’s expense
-Involves gossip

Question 12

Grave dressing phase in private

Answer 12

Create personal story you can live with
-Often rewrite memories so traits that were endearing now viewed in negative fashion
-Makes easier to move on

Question 13

Strength of Duck’s phase model

Answer 13

Real-world application in reversing relationship breakdown
-e.g Duck recommends ppl in intra-psychic phase to focus worrying on positive aspects of partner
-Also could improve communication in dyadic phase

So these insights can be used in relationship counselling to help ppl through difficult times

Question 13

Strength of Duck’s phase model

Answer 13

Real-world application in reversing relationship breakdown
-e.g Duck recommends ppl in intra-psychic phase to focus worrying on positive aspects of partner
-Also could improve communication in dyadic phase

So these insights can be used in relationship counselling to help ppl through difficult times

Question 14

Counterpoint to real-world application

Answer 14

Model based on research in individualist cultures but collectivist culture relationships less easy to end and involve the wider family

So model’s application would not be useful in all cultures

Question 15

Weakness of Duck’s phase model

Answer 15

Incomplete explanation
-e.g Duck/Rollie added 5th phase (resurrection phase) where ex-partners apply to future relationships experiences gained from last ones
-Also can swap round phases not always moving from one to the next

So original model does not account for the complexity of breakdown and its dynamic nature

Question 16

Weakness 2 of Duck’s phase model (underexplains early phases of breakdown)

Answer 16

Much of research retrospective as reported after break-up so may not accurately recall earlier stages

So model may not explain the early part of the breakdown process as well as later phases