You are viewing a free preview of this lesson.
Subscribe to unlock all 10 lessons in this course and every other course on LearningBro.
Romantic relationships do not always last. Understanding why relationships break down and the process through which they dissolve is a key area of the AQA A-Level Psychology specification. This lesson covers the reasons for relationship breakdown, Duck's phase model of dissolution, and Gottman's research on predicting relationship failure.
Key Definition: Relationship dissolution is the process by which a romantic relationship ends. It involves psychological, social, and sometimes legal stages rather than occurring as a single event.
Duck (2007) identified several factors that can trigger the breakdown of a romantic relationship:
Some people lack the interpersonal skills necessary to maintain a relationship. They may be poor communicators, struggle to express affection, or fail to manage conflict constructively. Partners of such individuals may feel their emotional needs are not being met.
People expect relationships to develop and change over time. If a relationship becomes routine, predictable, or boring, one or both partners may feel that there is insufficient stimulation. This aligns with social exchange theory — the rewards of the relationship decline.
Practical factors — such as long-distance relationships, demanding careers, or conflicting schedules — can make it difficult to maintain the relationship. The costs of maintaining the relationship increase while rewards decrease.
Argyle and Henderson (1984) proposed that relationships are governed by implicit rules (e.g., showing trust, respect, emotional support, fidelity). When these rules are violated — particularly through infidelity, betrayal of confidence, or jealousy — dissatisfaction increases sharply and the relationship may break down.
Exam Tip: When discussing reasons for relationship breakdown, link each reason to a theory — e.g., lack of stimulation links to social exchange theory (declining rewards), rule violation links to equity theory (perceived unfairness).
Steve Duck (1982) originally proposed a four-phase model to describe the process of relationship breakdown. Rollie and Duck (2006) later added a fifth and sixth phase.
| Phase | Name | Key Processes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breakdown | One or both partners become dissatisfied. A threshold is reached: "I can't stand this anymore." |
| 2 | Intra-psychic phase | The dissatisfied partner privately reflects on the relationship. They focus on the partner's faults, weigh up costs/rewards, and consider alternatives. Threshold: "I'd be justified in withdrawing." |
| 3 | Dyadic phase | The dissatisfied partner confronts the other. They discuss problems, attempt to negotiate, and consider whether to repair or end the relationship. Threshold: "I mean it." |
| 4 | Social phase | The breakup becomes public. Friends and family become involved, alliances form, and social networks take sides. Threshold: "It's now inevitable." |
| 5 | Grave-dressing phase | Each partner constructs an account of the relationship and its breakdown. They create a narrative that protects their self-esteem (e.g., "It was their fault" or "We just grew apart"). This narrative is shared with others. |
| 6 | Resurrection phase | Each partner prepares for future relationships. They redefine themselves as single, learn from the experience, and adjust their relationship "criteria" for the future. |
Intra-psychic phase: This is an internal, cognitive process. The person broods about the relationship, keeping a mental list of grievances. They may use social comparison — comparing their relationship unfavourably with others' relationships or with their CL-alt. At this stage, the partner may not even know there is a problem.
Dyadic phase: Communication is key in this phase. The couple may engage in difficult conversations, express their dissatisfaction, and attempt to resolve issues. If repair attempts fail (or are not made), the relationship moves to the social phase. This phase is emotionally intense and may involve arguments, tears, and ultimatums.
Social phase: Third parties become involved, which can either help repair the relationship (e.g., mediation) or accelerate its decline (e.g., friends encouraging the breakup). There is often a focus on blame and face-saving.
Grave-dressing phase: This is essentially reputation management. Each partner constructs a version of events that casts themselves in a favourable light. They create a "story" of the breakup. Tashiro and Frazier (2003) found that people often report personal growth after a breakup, identifying lessons learned.
Resurrection phase: Added by Rollie and Duck (2006), this phase acknowledges that people do not simply "end" after a breakup — they move on, learn, and enter new relationships with updated expectations.
Key Definition: Grave-dressing is the process of constructing a favourable narrative about the breakdown of a relationship, typically to protect self-esteem and manage one's social reputation.
Subscribe to continue reading
Get full access to this lesson and all 10 lessons in this course.