Duck's phase model of relationship breakdown

• (Duck) reasons why relationships may breakdown

  • Pre-existing doom is the idea that individuals were incompatible from the start
  • mechanical failure is the idea that compatible people are no longer able to function as a couple
  • Sudden Death is when a traumatic event (such as the cheating of one partner) rapidly leads to the relationship’s breakdown.
  • Duck’s model suggests that breakup isn’t a one-off event, but a result of progressing through a number of distinct phases/stages first.
• intra-psychic phase 


  one of the partners begins to have doubts about the relationship. They spend time thinking about the pros and cons of the relationship and possible alternatives, including being alone. They may either internalise these feelings or confide in a trusted friend.
• Dyadic phase 


  The partners discuss their feelings about the relationship; this usually leads to hostility

  Over this period the discussions will often focus on the equity in the relationship and will either end in resolution to invest in the relationship, or the realisation that the relationship has broken down. The relationship can be salvaged at this point if both parties agree
• social phase 


  other people become aware/involved

  friends encourages to choose sides

  It is very difficult to save the relationship once it has reached this stage without losing face
• grave-dressing phase

  partners create a narrative of how the break up happened so they can preserve self-esteem often by blaming their partner or other circumstances
• Tashiro and Frazier (2003)

  • using self report method on 96 undergraduate students - recalled experience of a breakup
  • findings indicate after breakdown, ppts experienced emotional distress and growth
  • suggest breakdowns are staged- grave-dressing allows recovery
  • study lacks population validity- only contains undergrad students
  • lacks validity due to reconstructive nature of memory
• (strength) high face validity 


  The model has high face validity as it is very relatable to those who have gone through a relationship breakdown. However, this could be due to issues with accurate recall, so may not be valid. People may hear about the model and reorganise their own breakdown to fit into phases, thus showing demand characteristics and/or social desirability bias.
• (weakness) gender bias

  Duck’s model may contain beta bias, minimising the differences between men and women, as men often suggest that a lack of sex is responsible for the breakdown whereas women cite lack of emotional support.
• real life applications 


  • When relationship therapists can identify the phase of a breakdown that a couple are in, they can identify strategies which target the issues at that particular stage. Duck (1994) recommends that couples in the intrapsychic phase should be encouraged to think about the positive rather than the negative aspects of their partner.