Ducks Phase Model

• In 2007, Duck proposed that there is a process of relationship breakdown which occurs in. distinct stages
• Stages of Duck’s Breakdown Model

  1. Intra-psychic stage
  2. Dyadic Phase
  3. Social Phase
  4. Grave-dressing Stage
• 1. Intra-psychic stage = focuses on the cognitive elements whereby one or both partners are evaluating the costs and rewards and reconsidering the profitability privately
• 2. Dyadic Phase = Thoughts about the future of the relationship are openly discussed - this may provoke the partners to work to salvage the relationship or trigger the breakdown
• 3.Social Phase - The break-up has been made public and friends/family evaluate the relationship to give support to place blame on one of the partners - final attempt at salvaging the relationship may be made by friends
• 4.Grave-dressing Phase = end of the relationship is confirmed and signifies both members to move on. Make new plans and continue the relationship
• PEEL 1 - Limitation:

  • Doesn’t discuss the gender differences
  • Klassin (1996) - women stress unhappiness and incompatibility whereas men stress things like lack of sex
• PEEL 2 - Limitation:

  • Model is too simplistic
  • Doesn’t account for casual relationships
  • Rollie and Duck proposed there was a 5th phase (resurrection phase) where partners learn from experiences and prepare for a new relationship
• PEEL 3 - Limitation:

  • Model is not a full explanation as it doesn’t account for same-sex relationships
  • can’t be applied universally across all cultures (e.g. collectivist cultures and arranged marriages)
• Peel 4 - Strength:

  • Educates on the idea that a break-up is a process that humans go through