Factors Affecting Attraction - SELF DISCLOSURE

Question 1

What is self-disclosure?

Answer 1

• Revealing personal info about yourself.
• E.g. thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
• More disclosure = greater feelings of intimacy (positive correlation).
• Has to be reciprocated.

Question 2

What are the features of self-disclosure?

Answer 2

-Social Penetration Theory (SPT).
-Reciprocity.

Question 3

Who devised Social Penetration Theory (SPT)?

Answer 3

Altman & Taylor (1973).

Question 4

What is Social Penetration Theory (SPT)?

Answer 4

• Gradual process of revealing your inner self to someone.
• In romantic relationships it involves the reciprocal exchange of info between partners.
• When you reveal, it displays trust.
• To go further, the partner must also reveal sensitive info.
• You gain understanding of eachother.

Question 5

What are the two main dimentions of SPT?

Answer 5

Breadth and Depth
- ‘Onion Metaphor’ is used to describe these dimensions.
- As trust is built, the depth of information grows.
-Ranges from superficial self-disclosure (breadth but little depth) to core self-disclosure (depth).
- As B&D increase, romantic partners become more committed to eachother.
- Low risk info is revealed early in relationship.
- High risk info comes out as relationship progresses.

Question 6

Who studied reciprocity link with self-disclosure?

Answer 6

Reis & Shaver (1988).

Question 7

How does reciprocity link with self-disclosure?

Answer 7

-There has to be a balance of self-disclosure between partners for a relationship to develop.
-Instead of one sharing and one listening, reciprocity is needed.
-This could lead to greater intimacy and a deeper understanding of the romantic relationship.

Question 8

Outline how Hass & Strafford (1988) study self-disclosure

Answer 8

• 57% of gay men & women said that honest self-disclosure was the main way they maintained & deepened their relationships.
• This demonstrates the value of psychological insight.
  –> In other words, if people understand how important SD is they may be more likely to do it.

Weakness:
- What about heterosexual men and women?
- Need to include all types of relationships.
- 57% is the majority but there are other factors.

Question 9

Outline Sprecher & Hendrick (04)

Answer 9

• Studied heterosexual dating couples.
• Found strong + correlations between several measures of relationship satisfaction and SD (both theirs and partners)

Strength:
- High validity.

Weaknesses:
- Scales / self-report - to find out about relationships
- Correlational - not causation (a solid conclusion) so can’t conclude that self-disclosure = satisfaction. Also haven’t studied other factors
- However, can’t be too critical because this is the only way to measure relationships.

Question 10

Outline Tang et al (13)

Answer 10

• Review research regarding sexual self-disclosure.
• Concluded that men/women in USA disclose significantly more than men/women in China.
  –> Collectivist vs. Individualistic cultures.

Weaknesses:
- Show research is mainly rooted in individualistic cultures
- Culture bias + ignoring difference in culture
- Beta bias

Question 11

Does SD always lead to more intimacy?

Answer 11

No

• Isn’t always positive, can do the opposite.
• Doesn’t always resolve issues.
  ~ Can lead to further breakdown of relationship
  ~ Can push people further away, especially if it’s not reciprocated.

Question 12

Evaluation points for self-disclosure:

Answer 12

+ Real life application (research allows individuals to improve on their own relationships).
- Can’t operationalise self-disclosure, as it’s open to subjective interpretation.
- Correlation, no causation.

Question 13

How is SD useful to society?

Answer 13

• Couples therapy
• Less impact on marriages and children
• Save relationships