Ben and Marianne have been dating for over a year now, but things have changed in the last few months. They don't talk very ofte
n anymore. Marianne asks Ben if he'd like to go to dinner and he replies "I would, but I have a lot to do around the house." In truth, he doesn't really have all that much to do. What stage of Knapp's developmental model are they most likely in?
At this stage, the partners intentionally avoid any contacts and they will be physically detached. They restrict themselves from any forms of communication to avoid a conversation or an argument. They make up excuses to justify their reasons of not being able to show up to seeing their partners just because they are already physically detached.
