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AQA A-Level Psychology Notes

12.4.1 Duck’s Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown

Duck's Phase Model is an insightful framework for understanding the complexities and dynamics involved in the breakdown of romantic relationships. Developed by Steve Duck in the 1980s, this model delineates the process through four distinct phases: intra-psychic, dyadic, social, and grave dressing. Each phase encapsulates a different aspect of the deterioration process, providing a comprehensive view of how relationships end and the psychological mechanisms behind it.

Intra-Psychic Phase

Definition and Key Concepts

  • This initial stage involves personal introspection about the dissatisfaction in the relationship.

  • Partners engage in a silent contemplation of the problems and assess their feelings towards their partner.

  • It's marked by internal brooding and a focus on the negative aspects of the relationship.

Internal Conflicts and Thresholds

  • Individuals start to consider the costs and rewards of the relationship, often leading to feelings of resentment or disillusionment.

  • The key threshold, "I can't stand this anymore," is reached when the negative thoughts become overwhelming, prompting a move towards addressing these issues more openly.

Psychological Impact

  • This phase can lead to stress, anxiety, and a sense of loneliness as individuals grapple with their feelings silently.

  • The lack of communication with the partner during this phase can exacerbate misunderstandings and feelings of isolation.

Dyadic Phase

Definition and Key Concepts

  • The dyadic phase sees these personal reflections and grievances being brought to the fore in conversations between partners.

  • It involves direct communication, which can range from constructive discussions to heated arguments.

Dynamics of Communication

  • The quality of communication during this phase can significantly influence the trajectory of the relationship.

  • Poor communication skills, lack of empathy, and defensive attitudes can lead to an escalation of conflicts.

Outcomes and Thresholds

  • Possible outcomes include reconciliation, compromise, or further deterioration of the relationship.

  • The threshold of "I would be justified in withdrawing" marks a crucial decision point where partners consider ending the relationship more seriously.

Emotional and Social Implications

  • Emotions run high in this phase, with feelings of anger, betrayal, or sadness being common.

  • The dyadic phase can strain not only the relationship but also the mental health of the individuals involved.

Social Phase

Definition and Key Concepts

  • In this phase, the breakdown extends beyond the couple to involve their social network.

  • Partners may seek support, advice, and sympathy from friends and family, which can shape the course of the breakdown.

Role of Social Networks

  • Friends and family can play a pivotal role, either as mediators or as catalysts for the separation.

  • Social allegiances and pressures can significantly impact the individuals' decisions and attitudes towards the relationship.

Social Implications and Thresholds

  • The phase can lead to a 'social realignment' where friends and family may take sides or distance themselves.

  • The key threshold "I mean it" indicates a public acknowledgment of the relationship's problems and a move towards a formal breakup.

Grave Dressing Phase

Definition and Key Concepts

  • Post-breakdown, individuals engage in the process of rationalising the breakup and dealing with its aftermath.

  • This involves creating narratives about the relationship, which may include self-justification and re-evaluation of the relationship history.

Coping Mechanisms and Social Image

  • Individuals often seek to maintain their social image and self-esteem by justifying their actions and decisions to others.

  • The narratives created in this phase can influence future relationships and the individual's self-concept.

Threshold of Recovery

  • The phase is marked by the threshold "Time to get a new life," indicating a readiness to move on and rebuild one's life post-breakup.

Significance of the Model

Theoretical and Practical Applications

  • The model is valuable for therapists and counsellors in understanding clients' experiences and guiding them through relationship issues.

  • It offers a structured approach to dissecting the stages of relationship breakdown, assisting individuals in identifying their current stage and navigating through it.

Academic and Research Perspectives

  • Duck’s model has been influential in academic circles, contributing significantly to the study of interpersonal relationships and communication.

Criticisms and Limitations

Oversimplification and Linearity

  • The model has been criticised for oversimplifying the complex nature of relationships by presenting a linear progression of stages.

  • Critics argue that relationships do not necessarily follow a sequential order and can vary greatly in terms of experiences and outcomes.

Cultural and Social Considerations

  • Duck's model primarily reflects Western perspectives on relationships and may not adequately represent the nuances of relationship dynamics in different cultural contexts.

  • Social, economic, and cultural factors can play a significant role in relationship dynamics, which the model does not fully address.

Conclusion

Duck’s Phase Model provides a valuable framework for understanding the multifaceted process of relationship breakdown. It highlights the importance of internal thoughts, communication dynamics, social influences, and personal narratives in the dissolution of relationships. Despite its limitations and criticisms, the model serves as a foundational tool in both academic and therapeutic settings, aiding in the comprehension and navigation of relationship breakdowns.

FAQ

Individual personality traits can significantly impact how one navigates through Duck's Phase Model. For instance, in the intra-psychic phase, a person with high neuroticism may experience more intense internal conflicts and negative thoughts about their relationship, potentially accelerating the move to the dyadic phase. Conversely, individuals with high agreeableness might strive for longer to maintain harmony, delaying the progression to the dyadic phase. In the dyadic phase, personality traits like openness and communication skills play a crucial role in the quality and outcome of discussions between partners. During the social phase, an extroverted individual might seek more external support and have a wider social network to rely on, which could influence the public perception and social realignment following the breakdown. In the grave dressing phase, resilience and coping mechanisms, deeply ingrained in one's personality, will dictate the process of narrative creation and recovery. Therefore, personality traits weave through each phase, influencing the experience and management of relationship breakdown.

Attachment styles, developed early in life, play a pivotal role in how individuals experience and react during each phase of Duck's Phase Model. For example, someone with a secure attachment style might handle the intra-psychic phase with more self-reflection and less anxiety compared to someone with an anxious attachment style, who may experience heightened distress and insecurity. In the dyadic phase, securely attached individuals are likely to engage in more constructive and open communication, while those with avoidant attachment might shy away from deep discussions, potentially exacerbating the relationship issues. During the social phase, the secure attachment style could facilitate healthier support-seeking behaviours and a more balanced view of the breakdown, whereas an anxiously attached person might seek excessive reassurance from their social network. In the grave dressing phase, the securely attached individuals are generally better at processing the end of a relationship and moving on, compared to those with insecure attachment styles who might struggle with longer-lasting effects and difficulties in forming narratives that foster personal growth.

Duck's Phase Model, while primarily focused on romantic relationships, can also be applicable to non-romantic relationships such as friendships or family relations, with some modifications. The intra-psychic phase, involving personal reflection on dissatisfaction, can occur in any relationship where an individual feels discontented. Similarly, the dyadic phase, which involves addressing these issues directly with the other party, is a common step in the breakdown of all types of relationships. The social phase, where the breakdown becomes more public, is also relevant in non-romantic contexts, as friends and family are often involved in and affected by the deterioration of any significant relationship. The grave dressing phase, where individuals come to terms with the end of the relationship and create narratives about it, is a universal process that applies to all forms of relationships. However, the intensity, dynamics, and specific issues addressed might differ based on the nature of the relationship.

Cultural context can greatly influence how individuals experience and navigate the stages in Duck's Phase Model. Cultural norms and values shape views on relationships, communication styles, and the acceptability of relationship dissolution. For instance, in cultures where collectivism is emphasised, the social phase might take on greater significance, as the opinions and reactions of the wider community can have a more profound impact on the individuals' decisions and public standing. Additionally, cultural attitudes towards gender roles and relationship expectations can influence the dynamics within the intra-psychic and dyadic phases. In some cultures, open communication about relationship dissatisfaction (as seen in the dyadic phase) may not be customary, potentially altering the trajectory of the relationship breakdown. Furthermore, the grave dressing phase can vary culturally, with some cultures providing more socially structured ways of coping with relationship breakdowns, such as rituals or specific mourning periods.

The presence of children can significantly influence the process and experience of each phase in Duck’s Phase Model. In the intra-psychic phase, parents may experience additional stress or guilt considering the impact of their relationship dissatisfaction on their children, potentially leading to a prolonged phase or more internal conflict. During the dyadic phase, discussions about the relationship's future might become more complex and emotionally charged, as the well-being of the children becomes a central concern. The social phase might involve additional considerations, as parents might be more cautious about how they seek support and manage the public aspect of their relationship breakdown to protect their children. Additionally, the involvement of children can lead to a more extensive social realignment, with friends and family possibly playing more significant roles in providing support. In the grave dressing phase, the narrative creation and recovery process can be more challenging, as parents have to reconcile with not only the end of their romantic relationship but also with how it affects their role as co-parents and the family dynamics. The need to maintain a functional relationship for co-parenting can add a layer of complexity to the recovery and moving on process.

Practice Questions

Describe the intra-psychic phase of Duck's Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown.

The intra-psychic phase is the initial stage in Duck's Phase Model, characterised by internal contemplation and cognitive evaluation of the relationship's drawbacks. This phase involves an individual privately considering their dissatisfaction, often focusing on the negative aspects and shortcomings of their partner. It is marked by a threshold thought, "I can't stand this anymore," indicating a build-up of frustration and discontent. This phase is crucial as it sets the foundation for further stages of relationship breakdown, reflecting the internal conflict and emotional turmoil experienced by an individual before they communicate their feelings to their partner.

Evaluate the importance of the social phase in Duck's Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown.

The social phase in Duck's Phase Model is significant as it represents the transition of relationship breakdown from a private to a public domain. In this phase, individuals seek support and validation from their social network, including friends and family, which can greatly influence the course of the breakdown. The social phase highlights the role of external social factors and the impact of social allegiances and pressures on personal decisions. This phase often involves a re-evaluation of social relationships and can lead to changes in social circles. The importance of this phase lies in its capacity to either ameliorate or exacerbate the breakdown, depending on the nature of social support and the reactions of the social network. This reflects the interplay between personal emotions and social dynamics in the process of relationship dissolution.

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