ducks model

• intro

  • ducks model proposes that relationship breakdown occurs in different stages, characterised by a certain threshold in which the breakdown will move onto the next stage
• INTRA-PSYCHIC STAGE

  • first stage
  • couple may start to have doubts in the relationship due to feelings of dissatisfaction, inequity or lack of communication
  • they may try to suppress these feelings of dissatisfaction
  • they may dwell on negative parts of their partner
  • these feelings will usually stay private, however partner may consult in a trusted friend
• DYADIC STAGE

  • once intra-psychic threshold has been reached relationship breakdown moves onto the second stage
  • partner voices dissatisfaction to other partner
  • this may cause arguments where both partners fixate on the costs of a relationship outweighing the rewards and identifying each others flaws
  • two outcomes: relationship ends, or couple tries to work it out
• SOCIAL PHASE

  • each partner consults friends of family for solace
  • friends/family may agree with their decision to end things or encourage them to work things out
  • making relationship problems public may result in hindsight bias where friend and family may claim they always thought they were too good for their partner
  • may make reconstructing relationship harder as couple have now gone public with their problems
• GRAVE DRESSING PHASE

  • after relationship has ended each individual has to come up with an explanation for how the relationship ended, that may not be realistic, but to make them seem like the 'good guy'
  • may fabricate story to make ex-partner seem like the problem
  • both partners get on with their life, taking away valuable lessons from the relationship
• A03

  + practical application - ducks stages can be used in couples therapy to identify and work on relationship issues. for example, if the couple is in the dyadic stage the therapist may encourage them to name positive attributes of their partner and their relationship to allow them to re-frame their mindset to thinking about what the couple gain from being in the relationship. this shows that Duck's model of relationship breakdown can be used successfully to help couples contemplating break-up to improve their relationships and stay together.
• A03

  -The model is based on relationships from individualist cultures, where ending the relationships is a voluntary choice, and separation is easily obtainable and doesn't carry stigma. this may not be the case in collectivist cultures, where relationships are sometimes arranged by wider family members, and characterised by greater family involvement. This makes the relationship difficult to end, meaning the break-up process will not follow the phases proposed by Duck. As a result, Duck's model is culturally biased as it assumes that break-up process is universal, which is not the case.
• A03

  — There are methodological issues associated with Duck’s Model. much of the research features self-report measures which are completed retrospectively after the end of the relationship. This means the data may rely too much on the respondents’ accuracy of memory and a realistic perception of the relationship. plus researchers are unwilling to intervene at the early stages of relationship breakdown, this means that these early stages are mostly speculative and their workings inferred from the later stages. these issues draw doubts over the validity and accuracy of Duck’s Phase Model