ToRR: Duck's phase model

Question 1

Who proposed a phase model of relationship breakdown and what does he argue about the process of a breakup?

Answer 1

• Steve Duck > argues that the ending of a relationship is not a one- off event but a process that takes time & goes through 4 distinct phases

Question 2

What is each phase marked by?

Answer 2

• each phase is marked by one partner (or both) reaching a ‘threshold’- a point at which their perception of the relationship changes

Question 3

What is the first phase and the threshold of this phase?

Answer 3

• Inter-psychic phase
  Threshold= ‘I can’t stand this anymore’, indicating a determination that something has to change

Question 4

What happens at the intra-psychic phase?

Answer 4

• focus of this phase is on cognitive processes occurring within the individual
• partner mulls on their thoughts of dissatisfaction & their reasons for dissatisfaction privately & may share with a trusted friend
• weigh up pros & cons & evaluate these against alternatives

Question 5

What is the second phase and threshold of this phase?

Answer 5

• Dyadic phase
  Threshold= ‘I would be justified in withdrawing’ come to a conclusion

Question 6

What happens at the Dyadic phase?

Answer 6

• focus is on the interpersonal processes between two partners
• series of confrontations in which the relationship is discussed & dissatisfactions are aired (e.g. lack of equity, complaints)
• self- disclosure becomes more deeper > express thoughts that they had been withholding in the intra-psychic phase

Question 7

What are the two possible outcomes of the dyadic phase?

Answer 7

• a determination to continue breaking up the relationship
• or renewed desire to repair it

if the rescue plans fails from dyadic phase a new threshold is reached > social

Question 8

What is the third phase and the threshold of this phase?

Answer 8

• social phase
• Threshold= ‘I mean it’ dissatisfied partner concludes this

Question 9

What happens at the social phase?

Answer 9

• breakdown has happened
• focus is now on wider processes involving the couples social networks
• break up made public
• partners seek support & try to forge pacts > mutual friends expected to choose a side
• negotiation about practicalities e.g. division of assets, childcare responsibilities

Question 10

What is the fourth phase and the threshold of this phase?

Answer 10

• Grave dressing phase
• Threshold= ‘it is now inevitable’

Question 11

What happens at the Grave dressing phase?

Answer 11

• focus of this phase is the aftermath
• partners spin a favourable story about the breakdown for public consumption
• allows partners to save & maintain rep (social credit), showing other partner in a bad light
• also involves creating a personal narrative than you can live with (rewriting history)

Question 12

What is a strength of Duck’s phase model?

Answer 12

• it suggests ways in which relationship breakdown can be reversed
• model is useful as it recognises that different repair strategies are more effective in the breakdown than others
• Duck recommends that people in intra-psychic phase > focus their worrying on positive aspects of their partner
• insights can be used in relationship counselling to help people through difficult times, real-life app

Question 13

What is a counterpoint to the strength of Duck’s phase model?

Answer 13

• model is based on relationship breakdown in individualistic cultures (US)
  -Moghaddam et al > relationships in individualist cultures are voluntary & frequently come to an end
• relationships in collectivist cultures are less easy to end & involved the wider family
• model not useful for all culture

Question 14

What is a limitation of the original model?

Answer 14

• incomplete explanation of relationship breakdown
• Duck & Rollie added a fifth phase > resurrection phase
• Ex-partners apply to future relationships experiences gained from old one
• also argue that progression from one phase to the next is not inevitable > possible to return to earlier point in phase
• processes that occur in RB (role of gossip in social phase) is more important than linear movement from one phase to another
• original model does not account for complexity of RB & its dynamic nature

Question 15

What is another limitation of Duck’s phase model?

Answer 15

• underexplains the early phases of breakdown
• much of the research is retrospective
• p’s in research studies report their experiences some time after the relationship has ended > might be inaccurate, distorted or unreliable
• especially true for earlier stages which occur ‘long ago’
• model may not explain earlier phases as well as later ones

Question 16

What does Duck’s model not explain and explain who & what overcomes this?

Answer 16

• focused on what happens in relationship breakdown but not why it happens
• Felmlee > fatal attraction hypothesis focuses on the why
• suggests that the trait that led to initial attraction may later be seen as undesirable
• e.g. one partner may become dissatisfied because there partners ‘great sense of humour later becomes ‘can’t take anything seriously’
• limited explanation