The Framework
A structural model for examining how relational outcomes develop across time.
Certain outcomes repeat, even when behaviour changes.
Explanatory Gap
Existing models tend to explain breakdown in terms of communication, compatibility, or individual psychology.
These explanations often describe what happens.
They do not always explain why similar patterns persist across different relationships and individuals.
The result is a form of partial clarity. The surface becomes more understandable, while the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
Structural Shift
Key Ideas
Sequence over snapshot
Outcomes often develop gradually. What appears sudden is frequently the result of earlier conditions.
Perception before behaviour
Internal shifts tend to occur before outward actions.
Asymmetry of experience
The same relationship can be experienced differently by each participant.
Accumulation over time
Small conditions, when sustained, produce significant effects.
Missing Variable
A specific internal response appears repeatedly across different relationships, shaping perception and influencing outcomes.
Diagram
Relational Conditions
Internal Response
Perceptual Shift
Behaviour
Outcome