duck

• • relationship breakdown isnt a one off event
  • they are series of phases which take a long time to go through​
  • Each phase is marked by a threshold where one or both of the partners reaches a point that tips them into the next stage​
  • According to Duck there are 4 stages
• 4 thresholds ?


  • Intrapsychic: I can’t stand it anymore​
  • Dyadic: I’d be justified in withdrawing​​
  • Social phase: I mean it​
  • Grave dressing: It’s now inevitable
• intrapsychic phase?


  one partner becomes increasingly dissatisfied but refrains from talking to their partner, may confide in a close friend and socially withdraw from their partner to express their feelings
• dyadic phase?


  partner expresses their dissatisfaction to their partner, from here the couple can either attempt to dissolve or repair their relationship
• social phase?


  if negotiation is unsuccessful the intention to break up is made public and the couple confides in friends/family, if relationship cannot be saved the next stage is reached
• grave dressing?


  publicise their own accounts to defend their reputation and convince their new partner they are a stable option that can maintain self-esteem
• a03?


  • strength: used to help couples in counselling
  • model explains what stage the couple is so therefore finding stage-appropriate solutions could help repair the relationship
  • different strategies could be used at each stage such as intrapsychic stage would be encouraged to focus on the positives but dyadic, communication.
  • therefore has positive real life implications
• a03?


  • criticism: too rigid
  • duck himself said model was too simplistic, later added the resurrection stage where ex-partners use their experience to guide their new relationship
  • also stated that progression is not inevitable and it is possible to back track to previous stages, these changes account for the fact relationship breakdown is more complex than peviosult thought
  • therefore these changes highlight issues with ducks model
• a03


  • criticism: social phase different for adults and teenagers
  • adult relationships seen as more stable and younger ones seen as training grounds/ not real commitments
  • teenagers will receive sympathy but less attempts of encouragement to get back together and their relationships are often undermined because they're young, but for adult couples they receive more encouragement as the loss is typically greater
  • therefore this model does not apply to everyone due to the difference in encouragement for saving the relationship
• a03


  • criticism: culturally biased , ethnoentric sample
  • Relationships in individualistic societies are normally voluntary & temporary whereas in collectivist societies divorce rates are lower & the social network is more important in providing support.
  • It is therefore unlikely that the process of relationship breakdown is the same across different cultures.​
  • Thus the theory therefore shows beta cultural bias. 
• a03?


  criticism: methodological issue with ducks supporting research

  • retrospective data means it could've been an unreliable, distorted account
  • self report questions means there could've been a chance of social desirability bias as they may not want to admit their own failings
  • therefore research may lack internal validity and not truly support ducks theory of breakdown