Factors Affecting Attraction: Self-disclosure

Question 1

AO1:

Definition of self- disclosure

Answer 1

Process of communication, revealing personal information about yourself as the relationship develops. Includes deepest thoughts and feelings.

Question 2

AO1:

Social Penetration Theory

Answer 2

Altman and Taylor (1973) - SD is a major part of SPT and is gradual process. As one person self-discloses, intimacy increases and relationship penetrates further.

Question 3

AO1:

Reciprocal Exchange

Answer 3

Reis and Shaved (1988) SD has to be reciprocated in order for relationship to progress as one person has displayed trust so it must be reciprocated.

Question 4

AO1:

Breadth and depth

Answer 4

Altman and Taylor, at first breadth of topics is narrow as some are off-limits but as relationship develops and intimacy increases the breadth and depth of SD increases.

Question 5

AO1:

Women and SD

Answer 5

Women are usually more expressive in SD, if not they are seen as maladjusted and abnormal which may prevent relationship from progressing.

Question 6

AO3:

Sprecher and Hendrick (2004)

Answer 6

Strong correlation between SD and satisfaction levels between heterosexual couples, increases validity.

Question 7

AO3:

Laurenceau et al (2005)

Answer 7

LTR married couples had correlation between SD and satisfaction by analysing daily diaries, opposite was also true, increases validity.

Question 8

AO3:

Correlation

Answer 8

Unsure of the link between SD and satisfaction, unsure of which causes which, limited explanation.

Question 9

AO3:

Hass and Stafford (1998)

Answer 9

57% homosexual couples sai honest SD was main way of maintaining a committed relationship, increases generalisability and validity.

Question 10

AO3:

Tang et al (2013)

Answer 10

Cultural differences, found more sexual SD in USA than in China, decreases generalisability.

Question 11

AO3:

Aron et al (1997)

Answer 11

Gave PPs a list of questions to strangers and found intimacy increased as they continued and the questions became more personal, increases validity.

Question 12

AO3:

Aron et al (1997) stare

Answer 12

Also had a 4 minute stare which could have increased intimacy so cause of intimacy is unknown, decreases validity.

Question 13

AO2:

Marriage Counselling

Answer 13

Correlation between SD and satisfaction, promotion of SD could help save relationships.

Question 14

AO3:

Relationship Breakdown

Answer 14

According to Duck’s model (1982) during dyadic phase there is discussion of problems and SD doesn’t always save relationship, can be the cause of the breakdown, decreases validity.

Question 15

AO2:

Luft and Ingham

Answer 15

Helps us to understand which parts of us are open to discussion and which parts we are only willing to share with intimate partners.