Relationships

Explanations for the breakdown of relationships

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Learning Objectives

You must be able to:• Outline and evaluate 2 or more theories of the

breakdown of relationships.

You should be able to:• Demonstrate an understanding of the major

approaches in psychology in relation to this topic.

• Demonstrate an appreciation of issues and debates relevant to this topic.

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‘Economic Theories’• Can explain why relationships break

down e.g.:– Lack of reward – needs not being met.– Relationship too ‘costly’ i.e. costs outweigh

benefit. – Inequity in relationship.

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A model of relationship breakdown (Rollie & Duck, 2006)

• Views the breakdown as a process and not as a single event.

• Each phase begins when a threshold of dissatisfaction has been reached.

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Stages of relationship breakdown

• BREAKDOWN: Threshold: ‘I can’t stand this anymore’.One partner becomes increasingly dissatisfied.

• INTRAPSYCHIC PROCESSES: Threshold: ‘I’d be justified in withdrawing’.Characterised by social withdrawal and resentment. Dissatisfied partner focuses on partner’s faults and being under-benefited.

• DYADIC PROCESSESS: Threshold: ‘I mean it’.Other partner becomes involved as couple begin talking about their problems and trying to resolve them.

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Stages continued• SOCIAL PROCESSES: Threshold:

‘It’s now inevitable’.Break up made public to friends and family.

• GRAVE-DRESSING PROCESSES: Threshold: ‘Time to get a new life’.Each partner builds positive representation of failed relationship.

• RESURRECTION PROCESSES: Reframing of past relational life – ‘What I learned and how things will be different.’

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Rollie and Duck - Evaluation• No explanation for starting point of dissatisfaction.

• Individual differences – not everyone goes through same processes (Akert, 1992).

• Practical applications for counselling.

• Cultural differences in role of social network.

• Research support suggests sex differences in extent of personal growth, with women reporting more than men. Reason for this is not clear.

• Research difficulties obtaining reliable data - data usually retrospective. It may not be objective or accurate.

• Reductionist – cannot be applied to all types of relationships.S.H.

Possible exam questions

Unit 3, Jan 2012• ‘Discuss research into the breakdown of

romantic relationships.’ (8 marks + 16 marks)

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