2021
Describe Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown. [4 marks]
The first phase in this process is the intra-psychic stage. This is when a person admits to
himself or herself that they are dissatisfie1ºd with their relationship, and they spend a lot of
time thinking about the reasons for this dissatisfaction and possible ways forward. This stage
focuses on a person's internal thought process that occurs before confronting the partner.
Before a person moves to the next stage, they reach a threshold of thinking 'I can't stand
this anymore'.
The second phase, called dyadic, occurs when a person confronts their partner and voices
their dissatisfaction. At this stage there are a lot of complaints coming from the partner
initiating the break-up; common complaints involve a partner's commitment to relationships.
The dissatisfied partner also rethinks the alternatives to their current relationships. The
threshold that is reached at this stage is: 'I would be justified in withdrawing'.
If, up to this point, the couple generally kept their disagreements private, at the next phase
they involve friends and relatives and make their distress public. This is the social phase of
relationship breakdown. According to Duck, once the conflict reaches this stage, it is more
difficult for a couple to mend their relationship: friends and family will take sides, intervene in
the couple's relationship and offer advice, which makes reconciliation much more
problematic. The threshold at this stage is 'I mean it'. The social phase usually leads to the
dissolution of the relationship.
Having left their partner, both sides construct their version of why their relationship broke
down, usually minimising their faults and maximising their partner's, but at the same time
trying to show themselves as trustworthy and loyal in order to attract a new partner. This
process is called 'grave-dressing', signifying the closure of the previous relationship and
readiness to start a new one. The threshold here is, unsurprisingly, 'It's time to start a new
life'.
a model that describes the four phases of relationship breakdown • intra-psychic phase – a
partner thinks about his/her dissatisfaction with the relationship but this is not disclosed to
others/partner • dyadic phase – both partners are aware of the problem – there is
confrontation, discussion • social phase – partners disclose their problems to others –
friends, family become aware of the breakdown of the relationship • grave dressing phase –
each partner comes to terms with the breakdown and rationalises it by constructing a
narrative of events.
Anji is trying Internet dating for the first time. She is considering what information
about
herself to put in her online profile. Friend A tells Anji not to be shy and that she
should disclose everything. Friend B warns Anji about the anonymity of the Internet
and says people can be very critical so she should give out limited information at the
start.
Use your knowledge of self-disclosure in virtual relationships to explain the advice
given by Anji’s friends. [4 marks]
, friend A’s advice is in line with the hyper personal model of online relationships
(Walther, 2011),
suggesting greater/more rapid self-disclosure than in face-to-face relationships
greater self-disclosure, as recommended by friend A, is said to lead to virtual relationships
developing more quickly, being more intense
friend A’s advice seems to reflect the stranger-on-a-train effect (Bargh 2002)
friend B warns against disinhibition which can occur in virtual relationships because of the
anonymity/deindividuation
disinhibition might lead to critical/aggressive/unkind comment about Anji’s personal
disclosures.
Discuss what psychological research has told us about why people develop
parasocial relationships. [16 marks]
Parasocial relationships are a one-sided, unreciprocated relationship, usually with a
celebrity, where a 'fan' spends a lot of emotional energy, commitment and time. However,
this can also be with really anyone who stands out in a community, so genuine interaction
could be difficult.
There are three levels of parasocial relationships developed by Maltby et al using the
celebrity attitude scale (McCutcheon et at ). Each level showing attitudes and behaviours
linked to celebrity worship. The least intense level in which celebrities fuel social interaction
and entertainment social, in which there is less greater personal involvement such as
obsessive thoughts and strong feelings. The last level is borderline pathological, the most
intense level where extreme behaviours and fantasies are seen, This may include spending
copious amounts of money on item related to celebrity or taking in an illegal act for the
celerity
A supporting research by klimmt (2011) is that the explanation is universal. The tendency to
form parasocial relationships is not culturally specific. In an online questionnaire, similar
levels of paprasocial relationships to Harry Potter were found in both individualistic and
collectivist cultures. These findings show that parasocial relationships may be a universal
feature of human behaviour, this may even be innate. Therefore, this shows that the
application is widespread.
McCutcheon’s absorption addiction model explains the formation of parasocial relations in
terms of deficiencies in their own lives, the relationships allow them to escape reality and
find fulfilment. The more intensive the involvement, the bigger the life crisis (link to the three
levels). Absorption is when they seek fulfilment, focusing their attention on the celebrity
identifying with them. Addiction is when the individual sustains commitment, creating a
stronger involvement, often leading to delusional thinking that the feeling their have are
reciprocated by the celebrity. A criticism of the absorption -addiction model is that it is a
better description of parasocial relationships rather than it being an explanation. For
example, it explains well the characteristics of people who are absorbed and addicted by a
celebrity (borderline-pathological) .
