Stages of a Romantic Relationship

Psychologist Susan Campbell has shown how relationships go through five primary stages: the Romance Stage, the Power Struggle Stage, the Stability Stage, the Commitment Stage, and finally, the Bliss/Co-Creation Stage. These stages are based on relationships that begin with romance. As we know, however, people enter relationships for many reasons and in different ways. For example, you might enter a relationship because you feel unsafe or unstable and seek security. If that is the case, you will likely choose someone highly secure. However, you may not be physically attracted to this person, or the sex is just “okay.”