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• Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown – a model of relationship breakdown that describes the different phases that people go through during the dissolution of a romantic relationship. 
• Dyadic phase – an individual confronts their partner and discusses with them their feelings, their discontentment and the future of the relationship. 
• Grave-dressing phase – partners strive to construct a representation of the failed relationship that does not paint their contribution to it in unfavourable terms. 
• Intrapsychic phase – an individual broods over their current relationship and considers whether they might be better off out of it.  
• Social phase – discontentment spills over to friends and family, as the distress experienced by one or both partners. 
• Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown sees relationship breakdown as a process of stages rather than a one-off event.  
• There are four distinct phases with each one marked by one or both partners reaching a threshold where their perception of the relationship changes, usually for the worse, allowing each to progress through the different stages.  
• • Relationship breakdown begins when a partner realises they are unhappy within the current relationship.  
  • This may be because the relationship is deemed inequitable or the relationship results in a greater loss.  
• The lack of stimulation may also contribute to partners feeling the relationship is not progressing or developing.  
• A lack of maintenance or circumstances where partners are not spending enough time together due to work commitments may also lead to strain 
• intra-psychic stage 

  • This is when a person admits to themselves that they are unhappy in their relationship ​ 
  • They will spend a lot of time thinking about the reasons as to why they are unhappy and how to move forward ​ 
  • This focuses on the person’s internal thought processes which happens before confronting their partner ​ 
  • The threshold is when they start to think “I can’t stand this anymore” 
• dyadic stage 

  • This is when the person confronts their partner and voices their dissatisfaction ​ 
  • At this stage, many complaints come from the partner initiating the breakup ​ 
  • Common complaints involve a partner’s lack commitment to the relationship​ 
  • The threshold that is reached is when they think “I would be justified in withdrawing” 
• social stage 

  • If the couple remained quiet about their disagreements, the next phase would involve friends and relatives by making their distress public​ 
  • According to Duck, once the conflict reaches this stage it is harder for the couple to fix their relationship as friends and family will take sides, intervene, or even offer advice which makes reconciliation more problematic​ 
  • The threshold at this stage is “I mean it”, this phase usually leads to the dissolution of the relationship 
• grave dressing 

  • After the breakup, both sides construct their version of why their relationship broke down ​ 
  • They usually minimise their faults and maximises their partners​ 
  • But at the same time, they try to show themselves as trustworthy and loyal to attract a new partner ​ 
  • This signifies the closure of the previous relationship and the readiness to start a new one ​ 
  • The threshold here is “It’s time to start a new life” 
• What is the significance of the grave-dressing stage in Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown?


  It is important for understanding how individuals cope with relationship dissolution.
• What emotional responses do many people experience during the dissolution of a relationship?

  Many people experience anxiety and depression.
• Who conducted research indicating that viewing a breakup as the ex-partner's responsibility can lead to a more positive outlook on the relationship's end?

  Frazier (2003)
• How does viewing a breakup as the ex-partner's responsibility affect individuals according to Frazier's findings?


  It often leads them to view the ending of the relationship in a more positive light.
• What addition did Duck and Rollie propose to the phase model of relationship breakdown in 2006?

  The resurrection phase.
• What is the main idea behind the resurrection phase in Duck and Rollie's model?

  People move beyond the pain and distress of the breakup and experience personal growth.
• What type of participants were involved in Tashiro and Frazier’s (2003) study on the resurrection phase?

  Undergraduates with recent experience of a romantic relationship breakdown.
• What did participants in Tashiro and Frazier’s study report after experiencing a breakup?

  They reported experiencing personal growth after they healed.