factors affecting attraction: self-disclosure

Question 1

define self-disclosure

Answer 1

revealing personal information about yourself - romantic partners reveal more about their true selves as their relationship develops

Question 2

what theory is self-disclose a major concept of

Answer 2

social penetration theory

Question 3

who created the social penetration theory

Answer 3

altman & taylor (1973)

Question 4

describe the social penetration theory

Answer 4

• gradual process of revealing inner self to someone & giving away deepest thoughts/feelings
• in relationships, involves reciprocal exchange of information between intimate partners
• basic feature of romantic relationships
• sign of trust

Question 5

2 elements of self-disclosure according to altman & taylor

Answer 5

• breadth
• depth

Question 6

what metaphor was used by altman & taylor

Answer 6

onion = layers
- disclose a lot about ourselves at start of relationship, mainly superficial info (‘low risk’) = breadth
- breadth of disclosure narrow at start, as many topics ‘off-limits’
- as relationship progresses, self-disclosure becomes deeper & we remove more layers revealing our true-self/discussing wide range of topics = depth

Question 7

describe depenetration

Answer 7

describes how dissatisfied partners self-disclose less as they gradually disengage from relationship

Question 8

who devised reciprocity of self-disclosure

Answer 8

reis & shaver (1988)

Question 9

describe the reciprocity of self-disclosure by reis & shaver (1988)

Answer 9

• for relationship to develop, there needs to be reciprocal element to disclosure (alongside depth & breadth)
• balance of self-disclosure
• promotes trust

Question 10

AO3 (+) research support for predictions about self-disclosure by social penetration theory

Answer 10

P: research support for predictions about self-disclosure by social penetration theory

E: sprecher & hendrick (2004)
- studied heterosexual dating couples & found strong correlations between measures of satisfaction & self-disclosure for both partners
- men & women who used self-disclosure were more satisfied with relationship & more committed
- sprecher et al. (2013) showed relationships are closer & more satisfying if partners take turns to self-disclose

T: increases validity of theory

Question 11

AO3 (+) research into self-disclosure can help those who want to improve communication in relationship

Answer 11

P: research into self-disclosure can help those who want to improve communication in relationship

E: haas & stafford (1998)
- found 57% of homosexual men & women said open/honest self-disclosure was the main method for maintaining & deepening their relationship
- if more less-skilled couples brought self-disclosure into their relationship then this could bring several benefits regarding deepening satisfaction & commitment

T: application and value to society as psychological insights can help people with relationship issues

Question 12

AO3 (-) concept of self-disclosure is culturally bound as increasing depth/breadth may not lead to more satisfying/intimate relationships in every culture

Answer 12

P: concept of self-disclosure is culturally bound as increasing depth/breadth may not lead to more satisfying/intimate relationships in every culture

E: tang et al (2013)
- reviewed research into sexual self-disclosure & concluded men/women in the US (individualist culture) self-disclose significantly more sexual thoughts/feelings than men/women from china (collectivist culture)
- despite lower levels of self-disclosure in china, there wasn’t any difference in levels of satisfaction compared to US

T: self-disclosure theory is a limited explanation for romantic findings as it is culturally bound & not generalisable to all cultures