Rollie + Duck

Rollie + Duck

1. AO1

   • 1. Breakdown: one partner becomes distressed with the relationship
   • 2. Intrapsychic process: feelings are not discussed with the partner but are expressed in other ways (e.g. diary). Individual becomes socially withdrawn + re-evaluated relationship
   • 3. Dyadic process: confront their partner + discuss feelings + future. Relationship can be saved at this point by seeking help from others.
   • 4. Social process: involvement of peers who can support them + offer advice. This may speed up the breakdown due to revelations about one partner
   • 5. Grave-dressing process: individuals present themselves in a positive light. They reconstruct the failure of the relationships so it does not show their contribution as unfavourable. There are multiple versions of the story depending on the audience
   • 6. Resurrection process: partners prepare themselves for new relationships by changing themselves + building on past mistakes/ expierences

2. AO2

   • Tashiro + Frazier
     • Supports the grave-dressing + resurrection processes
     • Surveyed real life undergraduates who has recently broken up
     • Reported emotional distress + personal growth
     • Breaking up gave them new insights into themselves + ideas about future partners
     • Evidence that grave-dressing + resurrection processes happen in real life as they were able to put past relationships behind them + get on with life
   • Cina et al.
     • Positive outcome of this model is the development of Couples Coping Enhancement Training (CCET) programme
     • CCET aims to sensitise couples to issues of equity + respect, improve communication + problem-solving skills
     • Compared 50 couples who received CCET to a control group who did not receive it
       • Found that the CCET group had higher marital quality after training
     • The model of breakdown has had a positive impact on real life couples + the stages can be applied to real life situations
   • Ethical issues
     • Criticism: sensitive area. There are issues of vulnerability, privacy + confidentiality
     • Participants may become distressed by revisiting failed relationships
     • Issues are personal so privacy + confidentiality may be breached
     • E.g. victim of domestic violence. Researcher has to decide whether to terminate the study to prevent any further harm from being caused
     • Research may be limited due to ethical issues + not all types of couples can take part
   • Duck
     • Criticism: does not explain why relationships breakdown, only describes the stages
     • Earlier research explain why relationships breakdown
       • Lack of skills: people seem like they are uninterested + this is unrewarding
       • Lack of stimulation: we have certain expectations when it comes to relationships, if we do not receive stimulation from a relationships we feel justified to leave it
       • Maintenance difficulties: distance can put a strain on relationships