Acouple experiences significantly less interaction and begins to no longer depend as much on one another for support. they also begin to question whether their relationship has a future. this illustrates which stage in relational de-escalation?

It illustrates the plato stage. When the love and affection are stabilized and the couple does not feel excitement or urgency for each other anymore.

Explanation:

First the couple was extremely passionate, with a natural addiction, because of the dopamine activation in the brain area. No wonder people says love is a drug.

However, the dopamine levels discrease after some time, and the couple can experience the plato stage, when passionate love fades and a more mature form committed of feeling takes place.

The couple tends to develop companionate love, which is a lot different from the lustful frenesi of the begining of the relationship.

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