Lesson 2 - FAA: Self-Disclosure

Question 1

What does self disclosure mean?

Answer 1

Revealing personal information about yourself as a relationship develops. As trust is built, you are more inclined to share deeper thoughts and feelings. It allows a couple to share their likes/dislikes and they can understand each other better

Question 2

Social Penetration Theory - Altman and Taylor (1973)

Answer 2

• This theory outlines the process of social penetration through self disclosure.
• They state that the process is gradual, like peeling away the layers of an onion, with the outer layers being superficial information like hobbies, likes and dislikes, and then the deeper layers are more private core values and emotions.
• They also describe it in terms of breadth and depth, with initially a wide range of topics being covered, but nothing of great intimate depth until later.
• It is the reciprocal exchange of information and encourages a stronger relationship

Question 3

Reciprocity of self-disclosure

Answer 3

Reis and Shaver (1988) outlines the need for there to be reciprocity in self disclosure, as it could be detrimental and a potential barrier to greater understanding if there is not an exchange.

Question 4

Strengths of self-disclosure

Answer 4

• Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) studied heterosexual couples and found strong correlations between levels of satisfaction and self disclosure for both partners. Therefore, couples who practiced reciprocal self disclosure felt more satisfied and committed to their relationship. Supports the idea that self disclosure is needed for a relationship to be close and long lasting
• It also aids communication in relationships. Haas and Stafford (1998) found that 57% of homosexual couples said that open and honest self disclosure was the main way of them developing their relationship. Couples who do not have the same level of intimacy could be advised to practice this, and it could help bring commitment and satisfaction to relationships.

Question 5

Weaknesses of self disclosure

Answer 5

• The findings of Sprecher and Hendrick’s study is correlational and this suggests a relationship, but cannot guarantee that it is a cause and effect relationship. Satisfaction could be caused by a third variable, like time spent together.
• It is an ethnocentric conclusion to make and is difficult to generalise it to different cultures. Nu Tang et al (2013) found that there was more sexual self disclosure in individualistic cultures like the US compared to collectivist cultures like China. However, there was little difference in the extent of satisfaction between couples of both cultures, therefore self disclosure may increase intimacy in some cultures but not in others