Discuss Duck’s Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown

AO1

• a series of stages by which a breakup progresses, shift to the next stage happens when a threshold is reached

  • intrapsychic - a partner feels dissatisfied, starts weighing up pros and cons, internal turmoil over whether they should stay

  • dyadic - need to discuss with their partner, negotiations begin, resulting in either new found resolve to fix the problems or progression to the next stage of breakdown

  • social - friends are alerted and thus get involved, sides are taken, people contribute advice and opinions on the situation, often the stage of no return

  • grave-dressing - in post-breakup each party attempts to salvage social credit by spinning favourable stories, appear in a good light/save face e.g. pertaining that it was a mutual decision

AO3

• missing stage of resurrection, ‘new me’, moving on stage, initial model not comprehensive

• more of a description than an explanation, why does dissatisfaction result in the first place

• cultural differences, collectivist culture breakups may involve a wider base of people, the initial dissatisfaction may be from a family member, not a relationship member themselves, very Western view of breakups

• application to preventing breakups, couples may attempt to reverse each stage, e.g. if one enters intrapsychic they should aim to focus on the positives of their partner to prevent further progression

• model is based on retrospective evidence, people may have biased memories/reports of the relationship after leaving

• not all stages may occur, some may skip dyadic, hence breakups may feel ‘out of the blue’