Phase model

• Duck's phase model says relationships end in stages
• Duck developed a four-phase model of the ending of intimate relationships
• Stages of ending relationship

  1. Intra-psychic phase - One partner disatisfied
  2. Dyadic phase - Other partner told disatisfaction
  3. Social phase - Break-up made public, friends told to pick a side
  4. Grave-dressing phase - post relationship, give their version of the break up
• Duck's model leads to a threshold point been reached

  Doesn't factor individual differences and research evidence suggesting how complex the breakdown of relationships can be
• Rusbult and Zembrodt

  People in relationship break down actively lead the process

  Passive people believe things resolve themselves
• Akert

  People who do the breaking up are less likely to be upset or show physical symptoms
• Duck's model is descriptive - doesn't explain why breakdown happens

  Doesn't factor cultural differences