Van Yperen and Buunk (1990) support the equity theory as a theory of breakdown. In their study of 259 couples, they found that relationships which were inequitable was unsatisfactory and this eventually led to breakdown of the relationship, therefore equity is needed in a relationship otherwise it will breakdown. This shows that the equity theory is correct. Van Yperen and Buunk’s study was a longitudinal study which makes the findings more valid as it shows how the inequity leads to breakdown throughout time; also you can watch the relationship in more detail. So this study gives good support for the theory. However the sample in their study is mostly married couples so you cannot generalise the findings to other relationships as everyone is not married. This study doesn’t give superior support for the theory.
Both economic theories; the social exchange theory and the equity theory are selfish. They say that relationships are based on exchange and ignore the possibility of altruistic true love and communal relationships. However, the Equity theory is less selfish than the Social Exchange theory and has far more support.
A different theory of breakdown is Rollie and Duck’s stage model. This suggests that breakdown has 6 stages, these are; breakdown – dissatisfaction with relationship, intrapsychic processes – thinking about costs, dyadic processes – discussion of equity, roles etc between yourselves, social processes – going public and seeking help from other people about the breakdown, grave-dressing – preparing stories for others and resurrection – preparing for future relationships.
Tashiro and Frazier (2003) supported Rollie and Ducks stage model as a theory of breakdown. They surveyed undergraduates who had recently broken up and found that participants didn’t only experience emotional distress but personal growth as well; this shows that the resurrection part of the model is correct according to their findings. Participants also said that through grave dressing and resurrection they were able to move on with their lives. This shows that the model applies to undergraduates and is true. However, the study doesn’t give very good support for the theory as the sample was students. Undergraduates are more likely to be involved in short term relationships, therefore you can not generalise this to the rest of the world. Hence Tashiro and Frazier's study doesn’t give strong support for Rollie and Duck’s model. Their study may perhaps also cause psychological distress to participants as the researchers have asked them about their broken down relationship which was in their past and his may cause distress so it isn’t very ethical.
Rollie and Ducks model does not tell us about all types of relationships because people put more effort and time into their relationships and try their best for it not to breakdown normally, so there may be other reasons to explain the reason for breakdown such as financial reasons. Also, some relationships may skip stages or use a different order, for example they may go from ‘Dyadic Process’ stage straight on to the ‘Resurrection’ stage, skipping the ‘Grave Dressing’ stage, as a result, the model is not useful for understanding all relationships. However, this model can be used for other reasons, it shows what stage a breakdown may be in, and this then suggests possible ways to deal with it, so this theory is useful as it has real life applications.
These theories are based on the cognitive approach.
Both the theories only apply to the western culture where people have a choice about breaking up or divorcing so you cannot generalise them to all relationships from every culture as there are cultures where this is not possible.
In conclusion, both the economic theories and Rollie and Duck’s stage model do not explain all relationships. They both explain different things so you cannot tell which is better, the economic theories tell us why a breakdown occurs and Rollie and Duck’s stage model explains how a breakdown occurs. Instead, we could use them both together to explain how and why relationships breakdown, Rollie and Duck’s stages already include costs and equity so it is possible to do this.
