Duck's Phase Model

• Duck's phase model (2007) is a model of relationship breakdown that shows the ending of a relationship is a process with four phases
• Duck Phase Model:

  1. Intra Psychic Phase
  2. Dyadic Phase
  3. Social Phase
  4. Grave Dressing Phase
• Intra Psychic Phase:

  Partner has thoughts of dissatisfaction with the relationship but they do not discuss with partner and they weigh up the pros and cons of continuing
• Dyadic Phase:

  Once a partner concludes they are justified in ending the relationship they will discuss with partner (relationship counselling). This phase varies in length, hostility & anxiety
• Social Phase:

  Couple publicly airs relationship difficulties with friends and family. Couple begin to discuss the division of their joint responsibilities.
• Grave Dressing Phase:

  Relationship is officially over. Partners often blame each other and construct a narrative of events to portray themselves more favourably by minimising their role in the relationship breakdown.
• Ducks Phase Model Evaluation:

  (P) convincing evidence to support

  (E) Duck (2001)

  (E) found participants suggested they had been willing to make the relationship work & reported being critical of their previous partner as part of their break up stories

  (L) suggesting individuals present themselves in a positive light as an ego defence as suggested by the Grave Dressing Phase
• Ducks Phase Model Evaluation:

  (P) model is incomplete

  (E) Rollie + Duck (2006)

  (E) added a fifth resurrection phase in which ex partners use what they learned from their last relationship to prepare for a future partner

  (L) suggesting the duck phase does not consider all factors of a break up, lowering validity
• Ducks Phase Model Evaluation:

  (P) practical applications

  (E) identifying how a relationship can breakdown, we can save relationships

  (E) useful for counsellors to use cognitive therapy to focus on private thoughts in the intra psychic phase

  (L) therefore the theory benefits society as it can be useful in therapy