Download - Breakdown
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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