Ducks phase model of breakdown

• What is the phase model of breakdown


  Ending of relationship is not one off event but process over time.

  each phase marked by partner reaching a threshold which changes perception of relationship for worse
• Thresholds of phases in breakdown model

  (At the end of a phase what do you think)

  Intra psychic = ‘i cant stand this anymore’

  Dyadic = ‘i would be justified in withdrawing’

  Social= ‘i mean it now’

  Grave dressing = ‘its now inevitable’
• what is the intra psychic phase in breakdown model

  cognitive processes by dissatisfied one, yourself

  dissatisfied one broods on reasons for dissatisfaction

  mulls over thoughts privately

  share thoughts with trusted friends

  weigh up pros and cons
• what is the dyadic phase of relationship breakdown


  interpersonal processes (own thinking) between 2 partners

  confrontations over period of time discussing relationship dissatisfactions

  determined to break up or repair it
• What is the social phase in the breakdown model


  Wider processes involving couples social network

  Break up made public

  Mutuals pick a side

  Gossip traded + encouraged

  Usually point of no return
• what is the grave dressing phase of breakdown model


  focus on aftermath

  once over time comes to bury it

  partners create personal story to cope

  tidy up memories of relationship rewriting events

  traits once endearing now negativity reinterpreted

  time for new life
• Weakness of phase model of breakdown: oversimplified 


  Rollie + Duck say progression through stages not linear (skip or return)

  Added fifth phase: resurrection phase where we use lessons learnt from relationship in future
• weakness of phase model of breakdown: retrospective research


  people give info after time is has happened so info not accurate.

  reliability issues looking at past > incomplete descriptions
• weakness of phase model of breakdown: culture bias 


  individualist voluntary and easier to break up but collectivist obligatory and harder to leave.

  conceptions of relationships change across cultures

  process not universal