Factors affecting attraction- self disclosure

Question 1

what is attraction?

Answer 1

• the action or power of evoking interest in or liking someone or something
• friendships or romantic situations

Question 2

what is self disclosure?

Answer 2

• how much we tell someone about ourselves
• reveal more to those we like
• like people the more they disclose to us
• shows trust between the two that the info wont be shared

Question 3

what is social penetration theory?

Answer 3

• Altman and Taylor
• relationship between individuals develops from:
• the breath and depth of interpersonal communication increases from shallow levels to more intimate

Question 4

What is breadth?

Answer 4

• the types of topics to be discussed
• certain areas may not be appropriate until a certain level of friendship

Question 5

What is depth?

Answer 5

• level of information about a topic is revealed
• e.g. information that is emotionally painful

Question 6

How attributions affect self disclosure?

Answer 6

• individuals consider the motivations behind someones self disclosure
• those that seem to disclose to anyone are less attractive
• those who just disclose to us are seen as special
• see value in relationship

Question 7

What is reciprocity?

Answer 7

• relationships will only develop if both individuals are active in disclosing info and responding in the appropriate way

Question 8

How appropriateness affects self disclosure?

Answer 8

• breaking social norms or revealing TMI too early can have the apposite affect
• reducing attractiveness

Question 9

Evaluative research: Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) student dating

Answer 9

• longitudinal observational study of watching students self disclose on dates
• M and W seen to have similar levels of self disclosure
• positive correlation found between the amount of self disclosure and the measure of the quality of the relationship
• self disclosure is reciprocal
• high disclosure is linked to the attractiveness they see in the partner

Question 10

Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) student dating CRITICISM: research is correlational

Answer 10

• much of the research is correlational
• may not be a causal link
• rather than self disclosure causing attraction, we may disclose more to those who we’re attracted to
• potential 3rd factor e.g. if we show interest in someone

Question 11

Evaluations of self disclosure: women are better communicators

Answer 11

• women are better communicators
• more willing to share intimate info compared to men
• example of alpha bias:
• exaggerating the difference between men and women

Question 12

Evaluation of self disclosure: culturally bias

Answer 12

• increased self disclosure may be culturally bias
• reflection of individualistic western ideas
• Tang (2013) suggest people in collectivist society china have higher relationship satisfaction, with lower levels of disclosure