relationship breakdown

who made the phase model of relationship breakdown?

Duck

what is the phase model of relationship breakdown?

a model that describes the different phases that people go through during the dissolution of a relationship

what is the intrapsychic phase?

an individual broods over their current relationship & considers whether they may be better off out of it

what leads to the intrapsychic stage?

feelings of dissatisfaction

what does the individual feel in the intrapsychic phase?

burdened by resentment & dissatisfaction

how may the individual express dissatisfaction?

• personal diary

• social withdrawal

what is the dyadic phase?

previously private thoughts about future of relationship are discussed between partners who voice concerns

what might the dyadic phase trigger?

• partners to work to salvage relationship

• beginning of public breakdown

what do couples become aware of in the dyadic phase?

the binding forces between them & the cost of terminating the relationship

what is the social phase?

discontentment spills over to friends & family, as the distress experienced by one or both partners is made public

what does the social phase do in terms of recovery?

make it harder to deny there is a problem

what actions may others take in the social phase?

• advice

• take sides

• offer support

what is the grave dressing phase?

partners strive to construct a representation of the failed relationship that does not paint their contribution to it in unfavourable terms

how do partners want to be portrayed in the grave dressing phase?

trustworthy & loyal

what does La Gaipa say about the grave dressing phase?

partners have to leave with their social credit intact so they are not debarred from future relationships

what are the strengths of the relationship breakdown phase model?

• grave dressing can be beneficial - Monroe et al - important for students psychological wellbeing - decrease risk of depression

• RWA - stresses important of communication - differential repair strategies depending on stage - clues through how their opinions are expressed

what are the weaknesses of the relationship breakdown phase model?

• methodological issues - retrospective - however, questionnaires & interviews are highly reliable

• cultural bias - based on individualist culture - less stigma around breakdown

• new stage - Duck & Rollie - resurrection processes - where individuals learn from past experiences in new relationship - also suggest model should be dynamic progression > set stages - social dynamics can affect progress in each stage

• impact of social phase varies by nature of relationship - less stable when younger - Dickson - older people in LTR are likely to see consequences are more costly

• ethical issues - sensitive areas - e.g., abuse victims - must conduct a cost analysis