Factors Affecting Attraction in Romantic Relationships- Self Disclosure

Question 1

What is self disclosure?

Answer 1

• The revealing of personal information about oneself to another individual we like
• In theory, we reveal more to people we like and we like people who reveal information to us more
• Self disclosure creates a sense of trust when the information disclosed is kept secret

Question 2

What are the 3 theories about self disclosure in romantic relationships?

Answer 2

1. Social penetration theory
2. Breadth and depth
3. Reciprocity

Question 3

What is the social penetration theory?

Answer 3

• Proposed by Altman and Taylor
• States that gradually sharing information about each other can build a stronger attraction

Question 4

What is the breadth and depth theory?

Answer 4

• Social penetration theory uses an ‘onion metaphor’ to describe these dimensions: at first, people often share a lot of information about certain aspects of themselves (depth), but consider some topics to be ‘off-limit’ (breadth)
• As they build trust in their partner’s understanding, breadth and depth increase
• In the beginning, people only disclose superficial details about themselves, such as their music taste, hobbies, interests, and gradually move to revealing more intimate details, such as religious and political beliefs, family values and difficult experiences

Question 5

What is the reciprocity theory?

Answer 5

The more someone self discloses to you the more you will disclose to them

Question 6

If the point is:

A strength of self disclosure is that there is evidence to support its role in romantic relationships.

What is the evidence and link?

Answer 6

Evidence- Iprechev and Hendrick studied heterosexual dating couples and found strong correlations between measures of satisfaction and self disclosure. This means that they are more satisfied and committed in the relationship.

Link- This research implies that reciprocated self disclosure leads to more satisfying long term relationships due to the building of trust and maintenance of communication and trust over time.

Question 7

If the point is:

A strength of self disclosure is that the theories can help people to form relationships and be more satisfied in romantic relationships.

What is the evidence and link?

Answer 7

Evidence- Hass and Stafford found that 57% of gay men and women in their study said honest and open disclosure was how they maintained their relationships. Therefore, research into self disclosure can help people who want to improve communication as well as increasing intimacy.

Link- This suggests that research into self disclosure can benefit society by allowing people to have more satisfaction in romantic relationships.

Question 8

If the point is:

A weakness of self disclosure is that, by suggesting it is the key factor in attraction of romantic partners, it could be considered a reductionist explanation of relationships.

What is the evidence, explanation and link?

Answer 8

Evidence- There are other explanations of attractiveness that may be more convincing, such as physical attractiveness. For instance, evolutionary explanations of attractiveness state that traits associated with attractiveness act as indications of good genetic information and health.

Explanation- By choosing an attractive partner, you are ensuring a healthy partner and a healthy child.

Link- This implies that, although the account provides a reductionist explanation of relationship, from real world experience it must be incomplete and unrealistic.

Question 9

If the point is:

A weakness of self disclosure is that a major problem with its research is that most of it is based on correlation rather than causation.

What is the explanation and link?

Answer 9

Explanation- Much of the research suggests that greater self disclosure leads to greater satisfaction. However, it could be equally viable that if a couple are more satisfied this will lead to greater self disclosure.

Link- Therefore, self disclosure may not cause satisfaction directly, reducing the validity of social penetration theory of self disclosure.

Question 10

What are the evaluation points for self disclosure?

Answer 10

+ Evidence to support its role in romantic relationships

+ Theories about self disclosure can help people to form relationships and be more satisfied in romantic relationships

– By suggesting that self disclosure is the key factor in attraction of romantic partners, it could be considered a reductionist explanation

– Major problem with its research is that most of it is based on correlation rather than causation