Describe and evaluate psychological research Essay

There ar many different factors into why round relationships flush it and separates succeed. In this particular essay, I will look into why many relationships do breakdown.The scratch line model into the dissolution of relationships was devised by Karney and Bradbury (1955). They said that thither were three major factors that busheld marital stability. The first of these were enduring vulnerabilities, which includes an in a bad way(p) childhood and high neuroticism.The second is stressful events such as illness or poverty. Lastly, adaptive processes also have an effect. This refers to constructive and destructive make out strategies to resolve issues. All three factors can be weded unneurotic for example, enduring vulnerabilities can cause stressful events. This model is good because aside research has shown that many factors have been associated with the breakdown of relationships, and most of these factors can be related to the three variables menti superstard in this model.This shows that it can condone why some relationships do break down. A nonher strength is that it shows how these three variables can link together to reduce marital quality. However, it can be criticised as it places also much emphasis on marital quality and satisfaction booster cable to a break-up. Levinger argued that in that location are other factors that also affect whether a couple break up or not. An example of this is divorce hoi polloi whitethorn not want to go by the hassle.Duck (1988) proposed a four-phase model, which explains what happens during the termination of close or intimate relationships. The first stage is the intra-psychic phase, where one of the partners becomes very unhappy with the relationship. This then leads to the dyadic phase, where the other person becomes involved. If the worry is not resolved, then it leads to the social phase where family and friends become involved. If the problem is not resolved here then it goes to the final stag e. This is the grave-dressing phase, where the ex-partners begin the organisation of their post-relationship lives. A strength of this model is that it addresses cognitive aspects, not just behavioural aspects of relationships.It has consequential implications for the repair of relationships. However, it can be criticised because, although it mentions the stages of a breakdown, it doesnt provide reasons for why this happens. It also doesnt take into account somebody differences for example it assumes that everyone goes through the same stages in a relationship break-up. This might not needs be true, for example not every relationship breakup may involve friends or family, or couples may go through the stages in a different order. Lastly, it is culturally biased, and so the results cannot be generalised to other countries. For example, Japan see break-ups as wrong and so probably wouldnt go through those phases.Another theory into the dissolution of break ups is lee sides (1984) M odel of Relationship Break Up. He conducted extensive interviews of 112 break-ups of antenuptial romantic relationships. He argued that thither were five stages to a relationship break-up. The first of these is dissatisfaction, which is when the couple realise there are problems within the relationship. Next is pictorial matter where the dissatisfaction is brought into the open, and then is negotiation where discussions of the issues are raised.Resolution then happens when the partners try to generate ways to solve the problems and if this doesnt work, then termination happens, which is the final stage. However, there are weaknesses to this theory. For example, it assumes that everyone goes through those stages and so doesnt take into account individual differences. In fact, couples may miss out certain stages such as resolution. In terms of both Duck and Lees models, a 6 or 7 stage model incorporating phases from both of the models would provide a better and more accurate accoun t of the break up of a relationship.The kindly Exchange theory, proposed by Thibaut and Kelley (1959) can also explain the dissolution of relationships. This theory is based on the cost and rewards, or the evanesce and take in a relationship. Costs in a relationship could be seen as energy, time and money spent, whereas rewards could be affection, company and security. The Social Exchange Theory argues that the relationship will end if the be are greater than the rewards.It states that we compare the relationship we are in to past relationships -if the costs and rewards are better or worse than before, it can help to determine whether we will stay in that relationship. This theory is strengthened by the candor theory, which states that people are happiest in relationships if the give and take is about equal. However, there are some criticisms firstly, it doesnt take into account peoples feelings. Secondly, although it provides a reason for why relationships breakdown, it doesnt explain how.