Relationship Breakdown
DUCK
Main reasons why relationships end:
● Pre-existing Doom - The relationship was doomed to end from the start. Could be a result of
the partners simply being incompatible for each other
● Mechanical Failure - Partners who are incompatible slowly grow apart over a long period of
time and decide that things are no longer working (the most common cause of breakups)
● Sudden Death - This is where the relationship suddenly ends. Discovering a partner has
cheated or the couple has a huge argument, which swiftly ends the relationships.
DUCK - RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN
Intrapsychic Phase
● One partner privately begins to feel dissatisfaction with the relationship.
● Focus on the negative aspects of the relationship (selective attention)
● Consider the costs of withdrawing from the relationship and the benefits of the relationship
Dyadic Phase
● Dissatisfaction is discussed with a partner
● Negotiation of future behaviour
● Both assess the costs of withdrawing from the relationship
Social Phase
● The breakdown is made public to friends and family
● Negotiate post-relationship dynamic with partner (children, finances)
● Gossip in friendship and family circles and blame is attributed
Grave Dressing Phase
● Ex-partners now rebuild their life towards new relationships
● Perform ‘getting over it’ activities
● Publicly distribute their own version of breakup.
EVALUATION
➔ Face validity - most people who have experience in romantic relationships can relate to at
least one of the relationship breakdown reasons.
➔ Issues with generalising - not every relationship breakdown follows these particular phases
➔ Practical applications - the phase model can also apply to friendships as well as relationships
➔ Relies on self-report methods - may lack validity
DUCK
Main reasons why relationships end:
● Pre-existing Doom - The relationship was doomed to end from the start. Could be a result of
the partners simply being incompatible for each other
● Mechanical Failure - Partners who are incompatible slowly grow apart over a long period of
time and decide that things are no longer working (the most common cause of breakups)
● Sudden Death - This is where the relationship suddenly ends. Discovering a partner has
cheated or the couple has a huge argument, which swiftly ends the relationships.
DUCK - RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN
Intrapsychic Phase
● One partner privately begins to feel dissatisfaction with the relationship.
● Focus on the negative aspects of the relationship (selective attention)
● Consider the costs of withdrawing from the relationship and the benefits of the relationship
Dyadic Phase
● Dissatisfaction is discussed with a partner
● Negotiation of future behaviour
● Both assess the costs of withdrawing from the relationship
Social Phase
● The breakdown is made public to friends and family
● Negotiate post-relationship dynamic with partner (children, finances)
● Gossip in friendship and family circles and blame is attributed
Grave Dressing Phase
● Ex-partners now rebuild their life towards new relationships
● Perform ‘getting over it’ activities
● Publicly distribute their own version of breakup.
EVALUATION
➔ Face validity - most people who have experience in romantic relationships can relate to at
least one of the relationship breakdown reasons.
➔ Issues with generalising - not every relationship breakdown follows these particular phases
➔ Practical applications - the phase model can also apply to friendships as well as relationships
➔ Relies on self-report methods - may lack validity
