Ducks Phase Model

• •Duck's phase model of relationshipbreakdown

  Duck proposed a phase model of relationship breakdown.

  •He argued that the ending of a relationship is not a one-off event but a process that takes time and goes through four distinct phases.•Each phase is marked by one partner (or both) reaching a 'threshold', a point at which their perception of the relationship changes (usually for the worse). The road to break-up begins once a partner realises that they are dissatisfied with the relationship and distressed about the way things are going.
• •lntra-psychic phase1


  •The focus of this phase is on cognitive processes occurring within the individual. The dissatisfied partner broods on the reasons for his or her dissatisfaction, centering mostly on their partner's shortcomings.•The partner mulls their thoughts over privately, and may share them with a trusted friend.• They weigh up the pros and cons of the relationship and evaluate these against the alternatives (including being alone).•They begin to make plans for the future.
• Dyadic phase

  1. There comes a point when they cannot avoid talking about their relationship any longer

  2. There is a series of confrontations over a period of time, in which the relationship is discussed and dissatisfactions are aired

  3. These are characterised by anxiety, hostility, probably complaints about lack of equity, resentment over imbalanced roles and a rethinking of the commitment that kept the partners together

  4. There are two possible outcomes — a determination to continue breaking up the relationship, or a renewed desire to repair it

  5. If the rescue attempts fail, another threshold is reached
• Social Phase

  1. There comes a point when they cannot avoid talking about their relationship any longer

  2. There is a series of confrontations over a period of time, in which the relationship is discussed and dissatisfactions are aired

  3. These are characterised by anxiety, hostility, probably complaints about lack of equity, resentment over imbalanced roles and a rethinking of the commitment that kept the partners together

  4. There are two possible outcomes — a determination to continue breaking up the relationship, or a renewed desire to repair it

  5. If the rescue attempts fail, another threshold is reached
• Grave Dressing Phase

  1. Once the relationship is dead, the time comes to bury it, by 'spinning' a favourable story about the breakdown for public consumption

  2. Gossip plays an important role in this phase

  3. Each partner tries to retain some 'social credit' by blaming circumstances, your partner or other people, or everything and everyone but themselves

  4. Grave-dressing also involves creating a personal story you can live with, which may differ from the public one

  5. The traits you found endearing or exciting in your partner at the start of the relationship are now reinterpreted in a much more negative fashion

  6. The dissatisfied partner finally concludes, 'Time to get a new life'
• Real World Application


  The model is useful as it can suggest ways to reverse a relationship breakdown. It recognises that different repair strategies are more effective at particular points in the breakdown than others e.g. :

  Intra-psychic = focus on brooding on the positive aspects of partner.

  Dyadic = improve wider social skills to improve communication.
• Real-World Application


  }Such insights could be used in relationship counselling, supporting the external validity of the theory.