Discuss Two Theories Of The Breakdown Of Relationships Essay

Vanessa Amushan
Psychology Essay
A2 Psychology Discuss Two Theories of The Breakdown of Relationships
Rolle & Ducks, 2006 model of breakdown endeavorers to explain the procedures in 6 solid steps. Its begins with dissatisfaction with how ones relationship is carried out, one partner senses that something is immoral/not right , which leads to an intrapsychic process that is characterised by brooding the partners faults and the demerits, in other words cost of their relationship. In the dyadic process the partners confront their partners and discuss their relative feelings about their relationship. The relationship may be saved at this point due to the reassessment of goals, future possibilities and commitments between the two partners, or the relationship may breakdown further. If further breakdown occurs social processes ensue, where by extended family or even friends offer consultation/advice & support. After having left the relationship, grave-dressing processes will commence. Partners strive to construes a representation of their relationship that doesn't mirror their own contribution of the relationship unfavourably. This process involves emotional distress because participants are tying up memories, revisiting the issues that induced the breakdown in the first place, this also
arises the lack of privacy and confidentiality amongst the pairs. In the final resurrection process, each parter recreates sense of own social value defining what to get out of their future relationships, they prepare for these relationships by learning from their mistakes of the prior relationship. This model has been enormously supported by research evidence, Tashiro & Frazier surveyed students who's relationships had recently broken down.
They reported to have experienced emotional distress as well as personal growth, establishing that these breakdowns have given them a clearer idea about their forthcoming relationships. This supports both grave-dressings and resurrection processes. However surveys are more of questionnaires and participants tend to portray demand characteristics as well as social desirability. Students may also find it difficult to phrase the questions effectively, obtaining different interpretations of the questions asked by the
psychologist. This model also had practical applicatiobs in counselling. Assessing which stage a couple is in helps to identify what steps should be taken to save their relationship. The model accentuates on the importance of communication in relationship downfall. Paying attention to the things people say, the topic discussed and how they interact helps their stages to be identified easily, its also suggest approbate interventions that could be used. One study that challenges this theory is by Rollie and Duck, who used the model for both instigators and none instigators of potential break-ups in relationships suggested that the model ignores individual differences, another psychologist found that instigators of break-ups suffer fewer negative consequences than non-instigators. The model also perceived to be culturally biased as its rooted in Western culture. Many collectivist, non-western cultures usually have arranged marriages, generally regarded as permanent. This model may therefore not apply for non-western relationships In addition to the model of breakdown, Duck 1999 proposed three reason as to why relationships breakdown. One of these is that lack of skills. A partner may lack interpersonal skills to make the relationship mutually satisfying. They may be a poor conversationalist , poor at indicating their interest, opinions or their interactions with other people may be generally unrewarding. Another cause of relationship breakdown is a lack of stimulation. A lack of stimulation may be either boredom of a belief the relationship isn't progressing. , and this may result to a breakdown. In some circumstances, relationships may also became strained to difficulties in the maintenance, as the partners don't see each other often enough. Shaver et al, 1985 stated that while romantic relationships can be strong enough to survive the pressures of decreased daily contact, it is evident that for many this isn't the case. In these cases, maintenance difficulties become overwhelming and relationships breakdown. However, Boekhout et al, 1999 elucidated extramarital affairs. One major relationship breakdown is that one or the two partners involve themselves with affairs. The psychologist asked a group of Undergraduates to rate various reasons for a partner ti be unfaithful (cheat) in a relationship. Partners judged that boredom & lack of attention to be amongst the likely reason why people cheat, showing how affairs may be the result of perceived lack of skills and stimulation, Thus supporting the reasons for relationship breakdown, psychologist asking questions is a form of interview, respondents may feel uneasy answering personal questions, face-to-face with the interviewer Social skills have been found to be important to relationships. CCET aims to increase respect and improve communication between partners. Cina et al, 2003 found that couples who had had CCET reported significantly higher marital satisfaction than the control group without CCET. This demonstrates the importance of social skills in relationships. Long distance relationships can be the cause of maintenance difficulties, however, Holt & Stone found that there was little decrease in relationship satisfaction as long as the lovers are able to reunite regularly. This suggests that long-distance relationships may not lead to breakdown as Duck’s explanation would suggest. However, this may be partly due to the increased accessibility to technology which allows long-distance partners to communicate fully. A criticism of this model is that it ignores gender differences. For example, women are more likely to stress unhappiness & incompatibility as reasons for break-up, while men are more likely to cite sexual withholding. Women also have more desire to remain friends after the dissolution, while men prefer to cut ties completely. Brehm & Kassisn, 1996 found that women have a greater desire to stay friends after a relationship and broken up, where as men, want to cut their loses and move on. Akert, 1998