REATIONSHIPS - Self Disclosure

Question 1

What is self-disclosure?

Answer 1

the revealing of personal information about the self, such as thoughts, feelings and experiences, to another person.

Question 2

What is the social penetration theory?

Answer 2

by gradually revealing emotions and experiences to their partner, couples gain a greater understanding of each other and display trust

Question 3

What increases as self-disclosure increases?

Answer 3

trust

Question 4

When someone first meets someone else, what information is generally revealed?

Answer 4

only superficial details such as hobbies and interests

Question 5

What happens to self-disclosure as two people get closer?

Answer 5

As people get closer, more intimate things are revealed about the self such as difficult experiences.

Question 6

Why is self-disclosing early a bad thing?

Answer 6

self-disclosing too quickly reduces attraction

Question 7

Reciprocal self-disclosure

Answer 7

The more self-disclosure someone gives, the more self-disclosure they expect in return

Question 8

Self-disclosure in romantic relationships evaluation points

Answer 8

• Tal-Or Big Brother viewer-contestant study
• Kito cross-cultural validity study
• Reductionist vs holistic explanation for attraction

Question 9

Tal-Or Big Brother viewer contestant study evaluation point Self-disclosure

Answer 9

• Research agreed that self-disclosure is a gradual process which affects attraction
• Analysis of reality TV shows showed that viewers did not like contestants that self-disclosed early on
• Contestants that self-disclosed gradually were preferred

Question 10

Kito cross-cultural validity study evaluation point Self disclosure

Answer 10

• Research supports cross-cultural validity of self-disclosure
• Japanese and American studied in different types of relationships
• Self-disclosure was found to be highest in those who were involved in romantic HETEROSEXUAL relationships
• But this does not explain homosexual relationships!!!

Question 11

Reductionist vs holistic explanation for attraction evaluation point Self disclosure

Answer 11

• It seems unlikely that attraction is based on self-disclosure alone
• Other factors are also needed in order to increase attraction
• physical attraction, similarity of attitudes, complementarity of needs