Campbell’s 5 Stages of Relationships
Campbell’s five stages of relationship development outline how romantic relationships progress and where challenges may arise. Here’s a brief summary of each stage, along with potential pitfalls:
Attraction – This is the initial phase where two people feel drawn to each other, often due to physical attraction, shared interests, or emotional connection.
What can go wrong?
Idealization: Partners may overlook red flags due to infatuation.
Mismatched expectations: One person may seek a serious relationship while the other wants something casual.
Power Struggle – Differences begin to surface, and conflicts may arise as both individuals assert their needs and boundaries.
What can go wrong?
Poor communication: Disagreements turn into constant arguments.
Fear of vulnerability: One or both partners may withdraw emotionally instead of addressing issues.
Stability – The couple learns to accept and appreciate each other’s differences, fostering deeper trust and emotional security.
What can go wrong?
Complacency: Partners stop putting in effort, leading to emotional distance.
Resentment: Unresolved conflicts from the power struggle phase may linger.
Commitment – The relationship solidifies as partners choose each other despite challenges, deepening emotional intimacy and long-term dedication.
What can go wrong?
Fear of commitment: One partner may hesitate to fully invest in the relationship.
External pressures: Family, career, or life events may strain the bond.
Co-Creation – The couple builds a shared vision of the future, working together as a team to create a fulfilling life.
What can go wrong?
Diverging goals: Partners may realize they have different long-term visions.
Neglecting the relationship: Focusing too much on external goals (e.g., career, children) can lead to emotional disconnection.
Understanding the five stages of relationships helps in therapy by identifying where a couple is struggling and providing targeted strategies to move forward. It allows partners to recognize normal challenges (like the power struggle) and develop better communication, emotional resilience, and problem-solving skills. This awareness fosters realistic expectations, promotes growth, and strengthens commitment, leading to healthier, long-lasting relationships.
Relationship hopping and moving from one form of love chemicals to another.
In the Attraction stage, intense emotions and neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin create feelings of excitement, passion, and euphoria. Some people become addicted to this “love high”, constantly seeking new partners to relive the rush of attraction.
However, when relationships enter the Power Struggle stage, conflicts arise as differences emerge. Those addicted to the thrill of attraction may avoid this phase, fearing discomfort or emotional vulnerability. Instead of working through challenges, they may leave and start over with someone new, repeating the cycle without building deep, lasting connections.
Moving from the Power Struggle to Stability requires emotional maturity, communication, and commitment. As the initial dopamine rush fades, relationships rely more on oxytocin and vasopressin, which promote trust, bonding, and long-term connection. Instead of chasing constant excitement, partners learn to appreciate emotional security, deep companionship, and shared goals. Adapting to this shift means embracing calm over chaos, choosing love over ego, and working through conflicts rather than running from them.
