Ducks Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown

• What does this theory propose?

  Breakups aren't just a one off event. Its a result of progressing through number of distinct stages
• What is the first stage?

  Intra - psychic stage

  • Person admits they are dissatisfied, they plan to confront.
  • This stage focuses on persons internal thought process.
  • May confide in friends
• What is the second stage?

  Dyadic stage

  • Person confronts their partner
  • Lots of complaints coming from one initiating breakup
  • This person then thinks about alternatives
• What is the third stage?

  Social phase

  • Partners announce they are splitting
  • People may take sides and offer advice
  • Partners engage in activities to get over breakup
• What is the fourth stage?

  Grave dressing phase

  • Partners construct their version of why it ended
  • They show themselves in a good light to attract new partner
  • Closing of previous relationship to start a new one
• What was the 5th phase that was added on later?

  Resurrection phase

  • People move beyond pain and distress from ending relationship
  • Time for growth
• Study to support

  Tashiro & Frazier

  Self report on undergraduates, recalling a breakup

  • After breakup they experienced emotional distress and growth

  Supports grave dressing and resurrection phase
• Study to support

  LeFebvre

  Self report on previous breakup.

  • Pps showed social phase activities such as changing Facebook status, deleting old photos, showed having fun ---> social phase
  • They posted new photos of themselves out ---> grave dressing as they ended previous relationship to get into a new one

  Demonstrates aspects of model applies in virtual communication
• Limitation of theory


  Cultural bias

  • Based on individualistic cultures where separation is voluntary
  • Some collectivist cultures relationships are arranged making separation difficult meaning Ducks stages cannot be followed

  Bias as it assumes breakup is universal - findings not generalisable
• Limitation of theory

  Overreliance of retrospective data

  • Most use questionaries and interviews
  • Can be years after it happened = memories not accurate

  Decreases reliability, doesnt accurately describe breakups as everyone has different experiences ---> findings will be different