Ducks phase model of relationship breakdown

• What are three reasons for relationship breakdown according to Duck (1992)?

  1. Early parenthood
  2. Poorer education
  3. Lack of social skills
• What are the four stages of relationship breakdown according to Duck (1992)?

  1. Intra psychic
  2. Dyadic
  3. Social
  4. Grave dressing
• Describe the Intra psychic stage of Duck's model

  • One of the partners/friends becomes more and more dissatisfied with the relationship
  • They do not tell their partner yet
  • If the dissatisfaction is great enough there is progression to the next phase
• Describe the Dyadic stage of Duck's model

  • Here the other person becomes involved ; it is now a two-way discussion
  • If the dissatisfaction is not acceptably resolved, there is progression to the next phase
• Describe the social stage of Duck's model

  • This is where the break-up is ,aired' and made public, and social implications are negotiated (such as care of children)
  • If the relationship is not saved here, it goes to the final stage
• Describe the Grave Dressing stage of Duck's model

  • Here the ex-partners begin the organisation of their post-relationship lives, publicising their own accounts of the breakup
  • Partners who develop their own versions of where the blame for the breakup actually lies, frequently employ self-serving attributional bias. i.e the failure of the relationship was out of their control