Duck’s phase model

• what is Duck's phase model? what does it suggest?

  a model of relationship breakdown it suggests that couples go through 4 stages once a partner realises they're dissatisfied with the relationship
• name the 4 stages of relationship breakdown

  intra-psychicdyadicsocialgrave-dressing
• what is each stage triggered by?

  a partner reaching a 'threshold point' where they realise they now think about their relationship differently
• describe stage 1 of relationship breakdown + what is the threshold and focus?

  intra-psychic phasethreshold - 'i can't stand this anymore'focus - one partner thinking about the relationshipprivately, the partner thinks about reasons for their dissatisfactions and focuses on their partner's shortcomings - they weigh up pros and cons and evaluate them against alternatives
• describe stage 2 of relationship breakdown + what is the threshold and focus?

  dyadic phase threshold - 'i would be justified in withdrawing'focus - discussion between partnersthere's a series of confrontations over time where partners discuss the relationship and dissatisfactions come to light - characterised by anxiety, complaints about inequity, resentment over imbalanced roles etc.
• what are two possible outcomes of stage 2?

  determination to continue to break up the relationship or a renewed desire to repair it
• describe stage 3 of relationship breakdown + what is the threshold and focus?

  social phasethreshold - 'i mean it'focus - including the couple's social networkpartners seek support from family/friends and try to forge pacts mutual friends feel obligated to take sides, gossip is traded + expected this stage is usually the point of no return and social forces help the momentum of the breakup
• at stage 3, what will friends do?

  some provide encouragement e.g. 'you were always to good for them' and some blame one of the partners
• describe stage 4 of relationship breakdown + what is the threshold and focus?


  grave-dressing phase threshold - 'it's now inevitable'focus - the aftermath (relationship is dead, now time to bury it by making their own version of the break to tell people)each partner forms two versions of the breakup
• at stage 4, describe the versions of the breakup formed by partners

  a public version - allows partners to maintain a positive reputation by showing the other in a negative light - both partners try to retain 'social credit' by blaming anything other than themselvesa personal version - memories of the relationship are 'tidied-up' and viewed differently e.g. traits like spontaneity now viewed as irresponsibility OR partners accept they were never compatible initially and move on
• at stage 4, what does the dissatisfied partner conclude?


  it's 'time to get a new life' side note - (thats so corny sorry to anyone revising this)
• give a strength of Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown

  :) good application - can be used in relationship counselling to suggest the most effective way to repair the relationship e.g. can negotiate a solution in the dyadic phase and focus on communicating
• give two weaknesses of Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown

  :( validity - based on retrospective research that may be incomplete/inaccurate - researchers interview participants after the relationship is over so their recall is likely to be distorted by events that occurred :( generalisability - the model is based on values/practices of western, individualist cultures where relationships are voluntary - not true of all cultures e.g. relationships in collectivist cultures may be obligatory with arranged marriages (little involvement of partners) so the entire concept of a romantic relationship is different - process of relationship breakdown differs in all cultures