Discuss one or more theories of the breakdown of romantic relationships
Discuss one or more theories of the breakdown of romantic relationships.
Duck argues that the causes for a breakdown in a relationship can be divided into two categories. This can be either predisposing factors which is partners being in close proximity which can expose behaviour that their partner may find distasteful or annoying. Also precipitating factors, these are factors that can get in the way of a relationship for example, long working hours, jealously, friends, family, opinions etc.
Duck’s theory explains relationship breakdown happens in four phases. It begins with the Intra-psychic phase, this involves thinking about your partner’s behaviour and assessing negative aspects of your relationship. Next is the Dyadic phase which involves a person confronting their partner with their negative thoughts and trying to sort out the various problems. Thirdly the Social phase, this is where a person makes a decision about their relationship, friends and family will offer support and the relationship is likely to have ended by this point. After having left the relationship, the grave dressing process will commence, partners will strive to construct a representation of the relationship that does not shot their own contribution to the relationship breakdown harshly.
A strengths of Duck’s model is that it views breakdown as a process that goes through a number of stages which is a more realistic view of relationships. Ducks model has practical applications in counselling as it also allows problems to be identified and intervention to occur at the social stage. This benefits people as it gives insight into possible effective techniques to repairing the relationship depending upon the phase. For example in the intra-psychic phase the partner could try and focuses on the positives rather than the negatives.
However, it focuses on the process involved after the relationship has ended and it doesn’t identify why the relationship broke down. Duck also fails to mention the
Duck argues that the causes for a breakdown in a relationship can be divided into two categories. This can be either predisposing factors which is partners being in close proximity which can expose behaviour that their partner may find distasteful or annoying. Also precipitating factors, these are factors that can get in the way of a relationship for example, long working hours, jealously, friends, family, opinions etc.
Duck’s theory explains relationship breakdown happens in four phases. It begins with the Intra-psychic phase, this involves thinking about your partner’s behaviour and assessing negative aspects of your relationship. Next is the Dyadic phase which involves a person confronting their partner with their negative thoughts and trying to sort out the various problems. Thirdly the Social phase, this is where a person makes a decision about their relationship, friends and family will offer support and the relationship is likely to have ended by this point. After having left the relationship, the grave dressing process will commence, partners will strive to construct a representation of the relationship that does not shot their own contribution to the relationship breakdown harshly.
A strengths of Duck’s model is that it views breakdown as a process that goes through a number of stages which is a more realistic view of relationships. Ducks model has practical applications in counselling as it also allows problems to be identified and intervention to occur at the social stage. This benefits people as it gives insight into possible effective techniques to repairing the relationship depending upon the phase. For example in the intra-psychic phase the partner could try and focuses on the positives rather than the negatives.
However, it focuses on the process involved after the relationship has ended and it doesn’t identify why the relationship broke down. Duck also fails to mention the