Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown

• Duck's phase model

  • the stages that people go through when a relationship is not working
  • dissatisfaction leads to four main stages that will change the perception of the relationship for the worse

  1. intra-psychic
  2. dyadic
  3. social
  4. grave dressing
• 1. Intra-psychic phase


  "I can't stand this anymore"

  • the private thoughts that we have about the relationship
  • some may end the relationship here without discussion and start thinking about alternatives
  • begin to make plans for the future
• 2. Dyadic phase


  "I would be justified in withdrawing"

  • interpersonal processes- the confrontation/discussion about the dissatisfaction
  • the relationship can be solved here if there is motivation to do so
  • self disclosure gets deeper
• 3. Social phase


  "I mean it"

  • the issues are now aired to other people such as trusted family and friends
  • some may take sides
  • some offer advice that will be helpful
  • some may speed up the process
• 4. Grave dressing


  "It is now inevitable"

  • change other people's perception of the relationship and take sides
  • partners strive to present themselves as more favourable to keep their social credit intact
• A03- Duck (2005)


  The 1982 model presented was shown to be incomplete.

  • fails to take into account the relational growth following a relationship breakdown

  In 2005, Duck added a new phase - "resurrection process" - which essentially focuses on enabling people to move beyond their distress and instead engage in personal growth

  • attention will be turned to future relationships by using experiences gained from the one that just ended
• A03- Real world application

  • shows the importance of communication in the breakdown
  • repair strategies can be implemented in the dyadic phase

  e.g. using a mutual and an impartial friend
• A03- Culture

  Some relationships in non western and collectivist cultures are harder to end as the wider family is involved.

  The model is hard to use for other cultures and therefore lacks generalisability.
• A03- limited evidence


  • hard to study early stages of r.s. as it could make things worse
  • limited evidence of Duck's model in early stages
  • research tends to be retrospective rather than based on what is happening at the time