Breakdown of relationships - created from Mind Map_1

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Duck 1988 - Four stage model of dissolution

(2) Dydalic phase

(3) Social phase

(4) Grave dressing phase

(1) Intra-psychich phase

Social exchange theory

Less profitable relationships are more vunerable to termination

Comparison level for alternatives - potential partners present a potential increase in rewards

Duck argues that the descision to move from one phase into the next is made when the individual reaches a threshold.

Couple may engage in 'our relationship' discussions and talk through possible changes to resolve the difficulties. They may choose to go to intervention teams such as 'couple counselling for help - if partially successful the relationship may continue. Otherwise the issues will persist and the ‘I would be justified in leaving’ threshold will be eventually met.

The relationship problems are aired publically as the

couple start to tell friends and family about the difficulties and the possibility of a split. Friends may offer support or take sides. The break up

is no pretty inevitable, reaching the ‘I mean it’ threshold.

This phase begins after the couple have split. Both

parties try to get their side of the story/explanation of the break-up out.

Each partner creates their own version of what went wrong and who/what was the

blame. These versions are usually ‘face-saving’ to demonstrate that they are

not totally a bad person who is rubbish at relationships and can’t be trusted.

Unhappiness or dissatisfaction of at least one member of the couple. They focus on how

they are failing in the relationship. The unhappy party may talk to their

friends about the relationship. When they reach the threshold of 'I cannot

stand it anymore' the partner will voice their concerns to the other - starting

the dyadic phase.

Relaitonships are built on the balance of rewards and costs. If the costs outway the rewards then the relationship is deemed to be less profitable which may make them more vunerable to termination.

We compare our current partner against other potential partners. If the potential increase in rewards from the new partner outway the costs of ending a relationship then a breakdown may occur.

Breakdown of relationships

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