2022-2024 Year 13 A-Level Psychology - Relationships: Duck's Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown DP
Duck’s phase model sees relationship breakdown as a process with four stages — Intrapsychic → Dyadic → Social → Grave‑dressing. Each phase is demarcated by a threshold, a tipping point at which one partner’s perception changes enough to push the relationship into the next stage.
Name Duck’s phases of relationship breakdown in order
Intrapsychic, Dyadic, Social, Grave Dressing
Key Terms
Name Duck’s phases of relationship breakdown in order
Intrapsychic, Dyadic, Social, Grave Dressing
What does a person have to reach for them to be tipped to the next phase of breakdown?
Threshold
“I can’t stand this anymore” is a threshold example for which phase?
Intrapsychic
“I would be justified in withdrawing” is a threshold example for which phase?
Dyadic
“I mean it” is a threshold example for which phase?
Social
“It’s now inevitable” is a threshold example for which phase?
Grave Dressing
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Name Duck’s phases of relationship breakdown in order | Intrapsychic, Dyadic, Social, Grave Dressing |
What does a person have to reach for them to be tipped to the next phase of breakdown? | Threshold |
“I can’t stand this anymore” is a threshold example for which phase? | Intrapsychic |
“I would be justified in withdrawing” is a threshold example for which phase? | Dyadic |
“I mean it” is a threshold example for which phase? | Social |
“It’s now inevitable” is a threshold example for which phase? | Grave Dressing |
Give a threshold example for the Intrapsychic phase | “I can’t stand this anymore” |
Give a threshold example for the Dyadic phase | “I would be justified in withdrawing” |
Give a threshold example for the Social phase | “I mean it” |
Give a threshold example for the Grave Dressing phase | “It’s now inevitable” |
In which phase does one member of the couple identify the problem but not talk about it with their partner? | Intrapsychic |
In which phase does confrontation occur and dissatisfactions aired? | Dyadic |
In which phase do the partners decide to either break up or repair the relationship? | Dyadic |
After which phase does a relationship break up occur? | Dyadic |
What two outcomes are there at the end of the dyadic phase? | Relationship breaks up or a desire to repair is created |
In which phase does the relationship breakdown become public? | Social |
In the social phase, what happens after the relationship breakdown? | Other people are told / it becomes public / mutual friends are encouraged to take a side |
During which phase are mutual friends encouraged to take a side? | Social |
During which phase is there a point of no return? | Social |
During which phase do we tell our own version of events and justify our decision? | Grave dressing |
During which phase do we present the ex-partner in a bad light? | Grave dressing |
Name the phase - “I’m really fed up and I wish the relationship was over. But I can’t tell him, because he thinks everything is fine” | Intrapsychic phase |
Name the phase - “We’ve told the children what’s going to happen to them and sorted out the money side” | Social phase |
Name the phase - “He was too spontaneous anyway, always planning dates without even asking me” | Grave dressing phase |
Name the phase - "I'm so sick of you not considering my feelings. You're so inconsiderate" | Dyadic phase |
How does Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown have practical applications? | It has been used to create a prevention model for relationship counselling to repair relationships |
During which phases is it possible for intervention to occur? | Intrapsychic and Dyadic - before the actual break up |
What can a counselor encourage in the dyadic phase? | An open and calm discussion |
What can a counselor encourage in the intrapsychic phase? | To focus on the positive aspects of their relationship |
A counselor may intervene and encourage an open and calm discussion in which phase? | Dyadic phase |
A counselor may intervene and encourage partners to focus on the positive aspects of their relationship in which phase? | Intrapsychic |
Name one limitation of Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown | Phases criticised for being too rigid / lacks cultural relativism / based on retrospective data |
Why might Duck's phases be criticised for being too rigid? | Not every person goes through each phase in the order set out by the model (many can skip from intrapsychic to grave dressing) |
How might Duck's phase model lack cultural relativism? | Most of the research is carried out in Western cultures |
How might relationship breakdown differ in individualistic cultures vs collectivist cultures? | Relationships in individualistic cultures are voluntary and often come to an end vs. in collectivist cultures are more obligatory, less easy to end and involve wider family |
Why is Duck's phase model based on retrospective data? | Participants in the studies report their experiences some time after the relationship has ended |