Theories of Romantic Relationships- Duck’s Phase Model Of Relationship Breakdown Flashcards
what did duck argue?
increasing dissatisfaction in a relationship triggers the process of
breakdown which goes through four distinct stages
what is each phase marked by?
a ‘threshold’ where one or both partners reach a stage where their perception of the relationship
becomes negative and the process of breakdown progresses to the next stage.
What is the focus of the intra-psychic phase on?
personal cognitive processes where one or both partners have
become increasingly dissatisfied and give consideration to whether they might be better off leaving the relationship.
What will an individual do?
reflect on the relationship and may experience feelings of resentment and a sense of being under-benefitted.
-There may be little outward
sign of dissatisfaction however an individual may express their discontentment in other ways, e.g. through social withdrawal.
What may there be but what may happen?
There may be determination to put things right however once the dissatisfaction is great enough then there is progression to the next stage.
What is the threshold for intra-psychic?
Threshold ‘I can’t stand it anymore’
What is the focus of the dyadic phase?
interpersonal processes between the two partners and is where
the dissatisfied individual informs the other partner about their unhappiness.
What may also be disclosed?
Reciprocated feelings of dissatisfaction may also be disclosed
What is the dyadic phase characterised by?
by overt (open) confrontations, where feelings of inequity and discontentment are aired.
What may the couple do and what he used here?
reflect on what binds them together and what costs would be incurred by ending the
relationship.
-This is where maintenance and repair strategies may be used and there is still the possibility that the relationship might be saved.
What happens if the dissatisfaction not acceptably resolved?
there is movement to the next phase
What is the threshold for the dyadic phase?
Threshold ‘I would be justified in leaving’.
What does the social phase focus on?
wider processes where the relationship breakdown turns from private to public
why is this a psychologically important phase?
as it publicises the distress that one or both partners is experiencing and the problematic relationship cannot be denied.
What happen as the partners tell family and friends?
family, others become involve
What may some family and friends do and what may others do?
Some friends/family will become
judgemental blaming one of the partners and may even speed up the end of the relationship
by providing previously unknown information about a partner’s behaviour.
However, other people may offer advice and support, which can help resolve any disputes between the two sides.
What may partners try do?
Partners may try to forge alliances and mutual friends may be expected to take sides.
What also happens in this phase?
This phase is also where social implications (e.g. who has the house) are negotiated. I
What happens if the relationship isn’t saved?
here it goes to the final stage. Threshold ‘I mean it’.
What is the grave dressing phase?
After relationship breakdown, this phase describes how the ex-partners begin their post-
relationship lives.
What do they begin to do?
publicise their own accounts of the breakdown in a favourable way so they do not hinder their chances of having other relationships.
What so ex partners do?
present a representation of the failed relationship so it does not reflect on them in disreputable terms; this enables them to keep their ‘Social Credit’ intact.
What may individuals do?
reinterpret ex-partner traits they once found attractive in negative terms, for example, ‘fun-
loving’ becomes ‘irresponsible’. Furthermore, individuals justify their actions so they appear to others as trustworthy and loyal, key attributes for future relationships
What does an alternative ‘story’ involve?
-some ex-partners deciding that they were not compatible from the beginning.
-Threshold ‘It’s now inevitable’
