Factors Affecting Attraction: Self Disclosure

Question 1

Self-disclosure

Answer 1

Revealing personal information about yourself
Romantic partners reveal more about their true selves as their relationship develops

E.g - deepest thoughts/feelings + can strengthen relation
Learn more as relation develops so may share important ,alters

Question 2

Social penetration theory

Answer 2

Altman + taylor
Gradual process of revealing inner self to someone else
Giving away deepest thoughts + feelings
Reciprocal exchange of info
Signalling trust

Question 3

Explain onion theory

Answer 3

As breadth + depth increase, partners become more committed to each other
1. Outer layer of onion - causal interactions + surface level info (basic facts and small talk)
2. Inner layer - Rep personal beliefs, feeling’s + opinions (preferences/beliefs)
3. Middle of onion - rep vulnerability, deepest emotions and secrets with very close person (fears/dreams/true self)

Question 4

Depenetration

Answer 4

Dissatisfied partners self disclose less as they gradually disengage from the relationship

Question 5

Reciprocity of self disclosure

Answer 5

Reid’s + shaver - for relation to develop + increase in breadth and depth, there need to be reciprocity
Disclosure = hopefully partner does same
Creating balance and feelings of intimacy

Question 6

Strength (research evidence)

Answer 6

Social penetration theory support
Sprecher + hendrick studies heterosexual couples ans found strong correlations between self-disclosure + relationship satisfaction for both partners
Found men and women who engaged in self discourse were more committed and satisfied if thought partner was also doing the same
Increase validity of theory as demonstrates reciprocity ans self disclosure = stronger relationship

Question 7

Limitation - issue with studies

Answer 7

Research such as sprecher/hendrick = correlational
Assumed greater self-disclosure directly caused higher satisfaction in relation however correlations cannot establish cause and effect
Could be other influences such as higher satisfaction leads to self disclosure or third variable such as time spent together
Therefore reduce validity

Question 8

Strength (real life app)

Answer 8

practical application in improving communication within relationships
Romantic partners can deliberately use self-disclosure to enhance intimacy and strengthen their bond

Stephen Haas and Laura Stafford found that 57% of homosexual men and women reported that open and honest self-disclosure was the way they maintained and deepened their relationships

this could lead to increased relationship satisfaction and commitment
highlights how psychological insights can be valuable for helping individuals/address communication

Question 9

Limitation (culture)

Answer 9

Disregards other cultures
Nu tang et al found lower levels of disclosure in china comp to USA (individualistic culture) whereas china is a collectivist
Self disclosure theory is a limited explanation of romantic relationships as it is based on findings from individualist cultures which r not generalisable to other cultures