TORR: Duck’s phase model

• Steve Duck (2007) 


  Proposed a phase model of relationship breakdown

  Each phase is marked by a partner reaching a threshold where the perception of the relationship changes
• The phases are

  Intra-psychic phase

  Dyadic phase

  Social phase

  Grave dressing phase
• Intra-psychic phase

  Threshold - ’I can’t stand this anymore’

  Cognitive processes, dissatisfactions of partners shortcomings, mulls thoughts over privately

  Weigh up pros and cons of relationship and begin making plans for future
• Dyadic phase

  Threshold - ‘I would be justified in withdrawing’

  A series of confrontations where the relationship is discussed

  Two outcomes, a determination to continue breaking up or a renewed desire to repair it
• Social phase

  Threshold ‘I mean it’

  The break up is made public, gossip is traded and encouraged

  Break up gains momentum driven by social forces
• Grave dressing phase

  Threshold - ‘It’s now inevitable’

  The aftermath, spinning a favourable story of breakdown for public consumption.

  Each partner tries to retain social credit by blaming anything but themselves

  Creating a personal story you can live with, may differ from public one

  Rewriting of history, something previously endearing is now annoying