Factors affecting attraction in romantic relationships: Self - disclosure

Question 1

What types of relationships does self disclosure apply to in psychology?

Answer 1

Romantic relationships

Question 2

How does self disclosure work in a romantic relationship?

Answer 2

Each partner reveals more about themselves to strengthen the romantic bond as the relationship develops

Question 3

What is self disclosure?

Answer 3

When someone reveals personal information about themselves, like their deepest thoughts and feelings.

Question 4

What is penetration described as in the social penetration theory?

Answer 4

Penetration is when both romantic partners increasingly disclosed more and more information to each other resulting in deeper involvement and understanding of each other’s lives

Question 5

Outline the social penetration theory

(gradual process, revealing, reciprocated, more info = deeper penetration, lives + understanding, dissatisfied = lower self disclosure = disengagement = de penetration)

Answer 5

The social penetration theory explains how relationships developed. They describe the gradual process of romantic partners revealing themselves and having a reciprocal exchange of information with their intimate partners. The more information disclosed amongst romantic partners leads to deeper “penetration” into each other’s lives and gaining a greater understanding of each other. Dissatisfied partners however will self - disclose less as they gradually disengage from the relationship, depenetration.

Question 6

How does gender affect the influence of self disclosure?

(females = importance = self d. than males, females = more disclosure, … females expect self disclosure)

Answer 6

Females tend to be more and place more of an importance on self disclosure, therefore having expectations of disclosure from their potential partner

Question 7

What is depenetration described as in the social penetration theory?

Answer 7

Depenetration is when either partner starts to feel dissatisfied and disclose less information as they gradually disengage from the relationship

Question 8

What four factors affect the influence self disclosure has on attraction in romantic relationships?

Answer 8

1. Gender
2. Content
3. Culture
4. Age

Question 9

How does content affect the influence of self disclosure?

Answer 9

The content disclosed during self disclosure is important because it can impact the way the relationship moves forward. For example a partner might disclose very personal information at the beginning of a relationship which may not be welcomed as it may be viewed as a violation of social norms and be seen as off putting

Question 10

How does culture affect the influence of self disclosure?

Answer 10

Different cultures will have different traditions and norms whilst dating, for example arranged marriages

Question 11

How does age affect the influence of self disclosure?

Answer 11

Different age groups disclose different amounts of information

Question 12

What is a strength of self disclosure as a factor that affects attraction in romantic relationships?

(predictions made, valid - supportive evidence, e.g. correlational - hetero couples, men/women = reciprocate self d = satisfied + committed, increases confidence, theory: self d = satisfying rs)

Answer 12

Predictions made about self disclosure’s affects on relationships have been validated by supportive research studies. For example a correlational study into heterosexual couples found that men and women who used self - disclosure in a reciprocated way, were more satisfied and committed to their relationships. Such supportive research increases our confidence in the validity of the theory that self disclosure leads to more satisfying relationships

Question 13

What is a strength of self disclosure as a factor that affects attraction in romantic relationships?

(high ecological, benefit real r/s, provides treatment, self d. - strengthen romantic bond, study - 57% - men/women - “self d. - strengthen/deepen r/s )

Answer 13

The self disclosure theory is high in ecological validity as it could be used to benefit real relationships experiencing problems. The theory provides a “treatment” for dissatisfied partners, explaining that self disclosure can strengthen romantic bonds between partners. In one research study, 57% of heterosexual men and women said that self - disclosure helped to strengthen and deepen their relationships.

Question 14

What is a limitation of self disclosure as a factor that affects attraction in romantic relationships? (correlational studies limitation)

Answer 14

Despite the supportive evidence found in research, many correlational studies have not been able to establish a cause and effect when considering self disclosure. Correlational studies only identify a relationship between two variables, in this case between disclosure and successful relationships, and without a clear cause and effect, it cannot be 100% guaranteed self disclosure is leading to more satisfied relationships.

Question 15

What is a limitation of self disclosure as a factor that affects attraction in romantic relationships? (self disclosure is not applicable to all cultures)

Answer 15

Critics argue that research on self disclosure may not apply in the same way to ask cultures. Upon further research, psychologists found that couples in the US (individualist cultures) disclose significantly more sexual thoughts and feelings than couples in China (collectivist culture). Desire this difference, both countries reported the same levels of satisfaction. This research limits the theory and places into question the applicability of its theories.