theories of romantic relationships - ducks phase model

Question 1

3 reasons identified for breakdown in a RS

Answer 1

-lack of skills
-lack of stimulation
-maintenence difficulties

Question 2

what is a inequitable RS?

Answer 2

-likely to cause dissatisfaction than equitbale ones so may lead to a breakdown

Question 3

what is the phase model

Answer 3

-once DISSATISFACTION occurs the partners go through stages the ending takes time not just ‘im not happy, its over’

Question 4

what does the phase model include

Answer 4

-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

Question 5

what is the intra psychic phase
(personal brooding)

Answer 5

-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

Question 6

what might the partner go on to do in the intra psychic phase

Answer 6

-weigh up pros and cons of RS againist of alternatives (also idea of being alone)
-make future plans

Question 7

dyadic phase
discussion with partner

Answer 7

-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

Question 8

what can be 2 outcomes of dyadic phase

Answer 8

1. determined to continue the breakup
2. renewed desire to repair it

Question 9

what is encouraged in the dyadic phase

Answer 9

-more self disclosure as partners expresss their thoughts and feelings that were previosuly witheld

Question 10

what is the social phase
-issues made public

Answer 10

-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’

Question 11

what are other key features of the social phase

Answer 11

-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

Question 12

what is the grave dressing phase
-saving face

Answer 12

‘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

Question 13

what does la gaipa say about grave dressing?

Answer 13

-by blaming circumstances, partner, others and everything but urself

Question 14

what kind of story does grave dressing include

Answer 14

-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

Question 15

what does the partner decide

Answer 15

‘its time to get a new life’

Question 16

strengths of the model

Answer 16

(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 have people in diff times

Question 17

weaknesses of theory

Answer 17

(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”