Discuss Research Into The Breakdown Of Romantic Relationships 1 
Discuss research into the breakdown of romantic relationships (24)
One approach to the breakdown of romantic relationships is a theory devised by Duck in 2001. Duck’s theory is a stage theory that covers both the reasons for breaking up and also the actual stages of dissolution. Pre-existing doom, mechanical failure and sudden death are the 3 main categories for why relationships break up. The first, pre-existing doom is where relationships are almost pre destined to fail due to incompatibility for example getting back together with an ex-boyfriend even though it didn’t work the first time. Mechanical failure is the most common; this is where two people of goodwill grow apart and find they can no longer live together this could be caused by distance or work hours that are incompatible. The final category is sudden death; the discovery of a betrayal that leads to immediate termination for example one partner cheating on the other. Duck also considers other factors that could contribute to a breakdown such as lack of skill, motivation and maintenance. Precipitating factors for example love rivals and finally predisposing personal factors like emotional instability. Duck believes that breaking up is a personal process, but he also takes into account self-presentation and group processes as influencing factors.
He devised four phases of the actual breakdown of a relationship. The first stage is called the intrapsychic phase; this is where one partner perceives dissatisfaction but keeps it private. This stage may involve one partner assessing the positive aspects of the relationship as well as alternative relationships, considering the cost of withdrawal and facing a dilemma on whether to reveal the problem or repress it. The second phase is the dyadic phase where the dissatisfaction is discussed in a confrontation and this time the benefits and costs are reviewed together. In this stage attempts may be made to resolve the issue but if these fail then there is a move
One approach to the breakdown of romantic relationships is a theory devised by Duck in 2001. Duck’s theory is a stage theory that covers both the reasons for breaking up and also the actual stages of dissolution. Pre-existing doom, mechanical failure and sudden death are the 3 main categories for why relationships break up. The first, pre-existing doom is where relationships are almost pre destined to fail due to incompatibility for example getting back together with an ex-boyfriend even though it didn’t work the first time. Mechanical failure is the most common; this is where two people of goodwill grow apart and find they can no longer live together this could be caused by distance or work hours that are incompatible. The final category is sudden death; the discovery of a betrayal that leads to immediate termination for example one partner cheating on the other. Duck also considers other factors that could contribute to a breakdown such as lack of skill, motivation and maintenance. Precipitating factors for example love rivals and finally predisposing personal factors like emotional instability. Duck believes that breaking up is a personal process, but he also takes into account self-presentation and group processes as influencing factors.
He devised four phases of the actual breakdown of a relationship. The first stage is called the intrapsychic phase; this is where one partner perceives dissatisfaction but keeps it private. This stage may involve one partner assessing the positive aspects of the relationship as well as alternative relationships, considering the cost of withdrawal and facing a dilemma on whether to reveal the problem or repress it. The second phase is the dyadic phase where the dissatisfaction is discussed in a confrontation and this time the benefits and costs are reviewed together. In this stage attempts may be made to resolve the issue but if these fail then there is a move