Reasons for relationship breakdown

Theories such a [blank_start]social[blank_end] exchange and [blank_start]equity[blank_end] can be applied to the ending of relationships. If a relationship is not viewed as favourable in [blank_start]economic[blank_end] terms or regarded as [blank_start]equitable[blank_end] then it will ultimately end. If costs and [blank_start]rewards[blank_end] change over time the the couple might breakup. Research has come up with a number of factors which make it less likely that the relationship will succeed such as: [blank_start]Young[blank_end] couples, especially if they become [blank_start]parents[blank_end] at a young age [blank_start]Lower[blank_end] socio-economic groups [blank_start]Lower[blank_end] educational levels Different [blank_start]demographic[blank_end] backgrounds Large number of [blank_start]sexual partners[blank_end] before marriage Experiencing parents getting [blank_start]divorced[blank_end] at young age

Who suggested the 3 categories of relationship breakup of: Pre-existing doom Mechanical failure Sudden death

According to Duck (2001) Pre-existing doom is...

According to Duck (2001) Mechanical failure is...

According to Duck (2001) Sudden death is...

[blank_start]Bradbury and Fincham[blank_end] (1990) suggest that [blank_start]happy[blank_end] couples use relationship-enhancing attribution patterns, while [blank_start]unhappy[blank_end] couples use distress maintaining attribution patterns. In a happy relationship the partners behaviour will be viewed more [blank_start]positively[blank_end] than when in an unhappy relationship.

[blank_start]Buunk et al[blank_end] (1990), perceptions of others relationships appear to be affected by how [blank_start]happy[blank_end] we view our own relationship. If we are currently in a happy relationship then we are likely to view our relationship [blank_start]positively[blank_end] when compared to others. In contrast if we are in an unhappy relationship then we are likely to be [blank_start]envious[blank_end] of other happy relationships.

The [blank_start]attribution[blank_end] hypothesis might also explain the gender differences that have been found in the perceptions of couples in problematic relationships. [blank_start]Women[blank_end] generally report more problems in relationships than [blank_start]men[blank_end] do. [blank_start]Female[blank_end] dissatisfaction is seen as a better predictor of relationship dissolution than [blank_start]male[blank_end] dissatisfaction. Is this because [blank_start]women[blank_end] are more sensitive to relationship problems or do the have different attributional patterns?