The Basics
This term describes a breakup where only one person decides to end the relationship.
Unilateral
This extreme form of avoidance occurs when someone completely vanishes from a partner's life.
Ghosting
This strategy is a simple, clear communication of the desire to end the relationship.
The Direct Dump
This indirect bilateral strategy occurs when partners drift apart and lose contact without a dramatic incident.
Fading Away
This is the most common and least direct strategy for relational disengagement.
Avoidance
This term describes a mutual decision where both partners agree to end the relationship.
Bilateral
This strategy involves leaking the breakup to a friend or having a third party announce it.
Relational Ruses
This strategy involves using apologies and compliments to ease the partner's hurt feelings.
Positive Tone
This direct bilateral strategy involves a competitive pattern of charging each other with responsibility for the breakup.
The Blame Game
This strategy involves manipulation or force when a partner refuses to accept the end of a relationship.
Threats and Bullying
These strageties rely primarily on face-to-face communication to end a relationship.
Direct
In this strategy, the disengager becomes unavailable to provide comfort, compassion, or warmth.
Withdrawal of Support and Communication
This strategy provides explanations for why the partner is no longer satisfied, often citing a need for independence.
Justification
This strategy involves problem-solving and dividing possessions fairly in a long-term relationships.
The Negotiated Farewell
This strategy involves a temporary break that may eventually lead to a permanent end.
Dating Other People
These strategies focus on non-verbal communication and avoiding face-to-face contact.
Indirect
This deceptive strategy involves a false declaration that the relationship needs distance to let the partner down easy.
Pseudo De-Escalation
This strategy involves recommending the couple just be friends or take a break to figure things out.
De-Escalation
This specific type of relationship often leads to fading away due to limited physical contact.
Long Distance
This is the primary reason ghosting is difficult for the victim, as they often wonder what they did wrong.
Lack of Closure
This type of relationship is most likely to use indirect strageties due to having less to discuss.
Casual Relationships
This strategy involves being messy of obnoxious on purpose to make the relationship unattractive.
Cost Escalation
This strategy involves bringing up relationship problems as a cover for a planned breakup.
Relationship-Talk Trick
This level of investment is usually present when couples us the negotiated farewell strategy.
High Commitment
This specific social media action is cited as a hurtful way to perform a direct dump.
Changing Facebook Status