Factors affecting attraction: Self-disclosure

Question 1

What is self-disclosure?

Answer 1

Revealing personal info about yourself. Romantic partners reveal more about themselves as as relationship develops. These self-disclosures about deepest thoughts and feelings can strengthen romantic bond when used appropriately.

Question 2

What is the social penetration theory?

Answer 2

Partners penetrate more deeply into each other’s lives as they self-disclose (Altman and Taylor)

Question 3

What is the breadth and depth of disclosure?

Answer 3

Layers of onion metaphor, start with breadth but little depth, and then move deeper.

Question 4

Reciprocity of self-disclosure

Answer 4

Successful relationship needs a balance in self-disclosure (Reis and Shaver)

Question 5

Support from research studies

Answer 5

Sprecher and Hendrick found that couples in satisfying relationships disclose more and believe their partners do too

Question 6

Real-life applications

Answer 6

Self-disclosure is a communication skill that can be learned and developed

Question 7

Cultural differences

Answer 7

Cultural differences in sexual self-disclosure in individualist and collectivist cultures

Question 8

Self-disclosure and satisfaction

Answer 8

Social penetration theory is wrong in predicting that relationship breakdown means less self-disclosure

Question 9

Correlation versus causation

Answer 9

More self-disclosure does not necessarily cause satisfaction