Section 3: Three Models of the Disengagement Process

Question 1

1. Duck’s Phase Model of Relational DIssolution

Answer 1

Breakdown: “unhappy in this relationship”
Phase 1: intrapsychic (think abt one’s disa
Crossing Threshold: “Try to so something”
Phase 2: dyadic (addressing disa w/ prtnr
Crossing threshold: “still disa! I’m ending it
Phase 3: social (telling others it’s over)
Crossing threshold: “it’s really over”
Phase 4: grave-dressing (emo repair, alignment

Question 2

2. Knapp’s Reversal Hypothesis: Five Stages of Coming Apart

Answer 2

1. Differentiating: emphasizing diffs
2. Circumscribing: no self-disclosure, “return of the stranger”
3. Stagnating: tense comm, unproductive’ some revive it, others move to next stage
4. Avoiding: physical + psych. (moving away & making schedules)
5. Terminating: end relationship romantically

Question 3

3. Catastrophe Theory

Answer 3

Alternative to stage models
Lots of relationships don’t go through circumscribing and go to termination.
Sudden death and fail to see signs, events are discontinuous