Duck’s phase model of Relationships

• What is the intrapsychic phase?

  The focus of this phase is on cognitive processes occurring within the individual.

  • The dissatisfied partner will worry about reasons for their dissatisfaction, centring mostly on their partner's shortcomings.
  • This partner may mull their thoughts over privately and/or share them with a trusted friend.
  • They will weigh up the pros and cons of their relationship, evaluating these against the alternatives.

  They may begin to make plans for their future
• What is the dyadic phase?

  The focus of this phase is on the interpersonal processes between the two partners.

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  There will come a point where they cannot avoid talking about their relationship any longer. From this, there may be a series of confrontations in which the relationship is discussed and dissatisfactions are aired.
• What is the dyadic phase characterised by?

  This is characterised by; anxiety, hostility, complaints about lack of equity, resentment over imbalanced roles and a rethinking of the commitment that kept the partners together.
• During the dyadic phase, self-disclosures may become deeper and more frequent as partners express thoughts and feelings that they had been withholding in the intrapsychic phase.
• What is the social phase?

  The focus is now on wider processes involving the couple’s social network.

  The breakup is made public and partners will seek support and try to forge pacts. Mutual friends find that they are expected to choose a side, some friends may blame one partner or the other or even hasten the end of the relationship by providing previously secret information. Some friends may pitch in and help repair the relationship.
• During the social phase, the arranging of logistics will also occur; division of assets, childcare, etc.
• What is the grave dressing phase?

  The focus of this phase is on the aftermath.

  Once the relationship is dead, the time comes to bury it, by spinning a favourable story about the breakdown for public consumption. This allows the partners to save face and maintain a positive reputation, usually at the expense of the other partner. Gossip plays an important role in this phase.
• During the grave dressing stage traits you found endearing in your partner at the start of the relationship are now reinterpreted in a much more negative fashion.