RELATIONSHIPS Self Disclosure

Question 1

What is self disclosure?

Answer 1

Revealing personal information about yourself

Reveal more about their true selves as the relationship develops

Strength the relationship if used appropriately

Question 2

Who created the social penetration theory

Answer 2

Altman and Taylor 1973

Question 3

Explain the social penetration theory

Answer 3

In romantic relationships it involves reciprocal exchange of information between partners.

This leads to deep understanding of each other’s lives

Two elements of this idea : breadth (range of issues) and depth (how much detail you go into)

Used the onion metaphor (layers) to explain this

Low risk info = start of relationship
High risk info = later in relationship

Question 4

AO3

Supporting studies

Answer 4

Sprecher and Hendrick - studied heterosexual couples = self disclosure increased so did relationship satisfaction

Laurenceau et al - daily diary entries about progress in their relationship found self disclosure led greater feelings of intimacy in couple, reverse was true aswel

Findings clearly support idea that disclosure in relationships increase likelihood of relationship being successful

Question 5

AO3

Limitation - cause and effect

Answer 5

Concept of self disclosure comes from correlation research - cause + effect cannot be established, Does more disclosure lead to a better relationships or does a better relationship lead to more disclosure?

Some studies show that the cause and effect relationship is clear. Hass and Stafford - 57% gay men + women said open and honest self disclosure (cause) was factor that led to increase attraction and maintained committed relationship (effect)

Research can confirm cause and effect of strong relationship which increases validity of theory

Question 6

AO3

Limitation - Ignores other factors

Answer 6

Theory ignores factors that influence relationships. Social penetration theory ignores aspects of romantic relationships - physical attractiveness, similarity of attitudes

SPT takes nomothetic approach by claiming higher self disclosure will invariably lead to greater relationships satisfaction

Shows that research into romantic relationships could benefit from use of an idiographic approach that studies couples unique experiences in detail, rather than making set of rules and apply to everyone