theories of romantic relationships - ducks phase model Flashcards
3 reasons identified for breakdown in a RS
-lack of skills
-lack of stimulation
-maintenence difficulties
what is a inequitable RS?
-likely to cause dissatisfaction than equitbale ones so may lead to a breakdown
what is the phase model
-once DISSATISFACTION occurs the partners go through stages the ending takes time not just ‘im not happy, its over’
what does the phase model include
-each phase based on perception changing
-partner reassess and decides the RS isnt bad and stops process of breakdown
-OR cross the threshold and moves to next step of the model
what is the intra psychic phase
(personal brooding)
-i cant stand this anymore
-indicates something must change
-cognitive processing of the individual
-worry about reasons for their satisfaction and their partners shortcomings
-thinks of thoughts privately might also tell trusted friend
what might the partner go on to do in the intra psychic phase
-weigh up pros and cons of RS againist of alternatives (also idea of being alone)
-make future plans
dyadic phase
discussion with partner
-conclude ‘ i would be justified in withdrawing’
-no longer holds in thoughts
-few confrontations, dissatisfaction are aired
-characterized by anxiety, hostility and complaints over lack of equity
-Re think commitment may keep them together
what can be 2 outcomes of dyadic phase
- determined to continue the breakup
- renewed desire to repair it
what is encouraged in the dyadic phase
-more self disclosure as partners expresss their thoughts and feelings that were previosuly witheld
what is the social phase
-issues made public
-disatisified partner concludes ‘i mean it’
-wider process involving social networks
-break up is public
-partner seek support
-friends may pick sides
-gossip traded and encouraged
-friends provide reassurance ‘ i knew u were too good’
what are other key features of the social phase
-blame placed on eachother
-some people open up what was previously secrets ‘ i didnt want to mention this but….’
-some may help repair RS
-normally its the end driven by social forces
what is the grave dressing phase
-saving face
‘its now inevitable’
-aftermath
-RS ended
-spin a favourbale story to make other look bad
-want positive reputation
-gossip uplays and partners want social credit
what does la gaipa say about grave dressing?
-by blaming circumstances, partner, others and everything but urself
what kind of story does grave dressing include
-personal story to live with and tidy up memories of the RS and rewrite history
-re interpret the good traits from early days into a negative fashion
what does the partner decide
‘its time to get a new life’
strengths of the model
(useful real life application)
-help us understand ways of reversing RS breakdown
-certain repair strategies more useful than others depending on the stage
-e.g intra psychic stage= focus on positive aspects
-improve communication in dyadic stage
-improving this and wider social skills could be beneficial to improve stability
-used in RS counselling to help people in diff times
weaknesses of theory
(counterpoint of real life app)
-model based on research into individualist cultures e,g US
-moghaddam et al propose RS in individualist cultures are most voluntary and end quite often
-in collectivist RS are more obligatory less easy to end and involve the wider family
-romantic RS differs in cultures; RS breakdown differs
-model not always useful in all cultures
(incomplete model)
-rollie and duck added 5th stage (resurrection)
-ex partners begin to use what they learnt from last RS and prepare for future ones
-movement thru stages isn’t inevitable they may return to earlier phase
- process that occurs in RS breakdown e.g gossip in social phase more important than linear movement from one phase to another
-original model doesn’t account for complexity and dynamic nature
(early phases are less understood)
- under explains the early phases of breakdown as much of the data is retrospective
- interviews asking ab RS breakdown take place after event not during it - retrospective data may not be accurate or reliable, especially true of the early stages.
-partners can be intra physic stage for long time, recall may be distorted
- hard to study breakdown in early stages without interfering w the process
-model may not explain early parts of the breakdown process as well as later phases.
(description rather than explanation)
-describes what happens rather than why
-in contrast FEMLEE fatal attraction hypothesis focuses on why
-suggests the trait leading to initial attraction may be seen as undesirable e.g one partner may he disastfiied bc her partners “great sense of humour” later becomes “he can’t take anything seriously anymore”
