2.  We will go over the breakdown of relationships  You will then have an opportunity for verbal feedback

3.  With a partner, discuss relationships that you ended  Q: Were there common reasons, or was each one different?  Now, discuss relationships that ‘they’ ended  Q: Were there common reasons, or was each one different

5. ● Conflict ● Breaking agreed rules [fidelity, confidentiality, support] ● Dissatisfaction / boredom ● Lack of stimulation / novelty ● An attractive alternative relationship ● Costs outweighing rewards

6. ● Perceived changes in relationship ● Interference from other relationships ● Problems of abuse [alcohol, monetary, sex] ● Changes in self or other person ● Falling out of love ● Saving face

7.  Premarital breakdown... ● LEE 1984 interviewed couples  FOUND: 5 stages of premarital breakdown-  1. dissatisfaction – realising you're unhappy  2. exposure – difficulties coming to surface / voiced  3. negotiation – discussing issues / deciding how to save it  4. attempted resolution – trying solutions  5. termination – realising it isn't working – ending relationship

8.  STRENGTH ● Research was qualitative & subjective  WEAKNESS ● Qualitative data not scientific – interpretation difficult, bias ● Subjective nature of data – difficult to generalise ● Retrospective data ● Samples – long term cohabiting couples only used [married, friends may be different] ● individual differences not accounted for in exposure stage – not everyone discusses dissatisfaction with partner before ending

9. ● Similar to Lee's BUT can be applied to ALL relationships ● 4 phases  1. intrapsychic – thinking about negative aspects of partner & relationship BUT NOT discussing them (yet!)  Threshold - “I can't stand this anymore” ...Dissatisfaction grows = can't hold in feelings

10.  dyadic phase – confronting partner & trying to resolve problems  Threshold - “I'd be justified in withdrawing” ...partner knows how you feel, if they don't help resolve issues you feel like giving up  [corresponds with Lee's exposure,negotiation & resolution attempt stages]

11.  social phase – decide what to do now relationship effectively over  includes face-saving & negotiating social implication, e.g. childcare, friends]  Threshold - “I mean it”  [corresponds with Lee's termination stage]  relationship aired publicly, for some people this process may save relationship...if not...

12.  grave-dressing phase – focus on communicating socially acceptable account of end of relationship [important!]  Threshold - “Now it's inevitable”'  Deciding what relationship will be with ex & where blame lies [helps get over it]

13. ● Both models have useful practical applications – can identify stage of breakdown & suggest ways to attempt to repair relationship ● Models suggest how, once broken, couples in intrapsychic phase should aim to re- establish liking by focusing on positive aspects ● Neither model explains why relationships breakdown – merely focuses on likely sequence of events

14.  Duck found factors make breakup more likely... ● Younger than average partners – teen wedding  Lower socio-economic group / educational level