relationships: self disclsoure ao3 Flashcards
Research support for self disclosure
P: The concept of self-disclosure has been investigated in numerous studies.
E; For example, Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) studied heterosexual couples who were dating, and found that as self-disclosure increased, so did relationship satisfaction.
E: This was supported by another study of dating couples, conducted by Laurenceau et al. (2005).
They asked participants to write daily diary entries about progress in their relationships and found that self-disclosure and perception of disclosure in a partner led to greater feelings of intimacy in a couple. The reverse was true as well - couples who complained about lack of intimacy self-disclosed less often.
L: Such supporting research increases our confidence in the validity of self-disclosure as a factor leading to more satisfying relationships.
Limitation - correlational research
P: Most support for the concept of self-disclosure comes from correlational research.
E: While there is undoubtedly a link between self-disclosure and greater relationship satisfacti cause and effect cannot be established, reducing the validity of the concept.
E: However despite this, the concept of self-disclosure has strong everyday life applications.
For example, it could be used in relationship counselling as it could help improve partners’ communication skills in intimate relationships.
By deliberately and skilfully increasing self-disclosure, couples can achieve higher intimacy an relationship satisfaction.
L: This shows that Social Penetration Theory can be used in the real world to enhance romantic relationship experiences.
Issues and debates - culture bias
P: Social Penetration Theory was developed based on research in a Western, individualist culture, so it may not apply to collectivist cultures.
E: For example, Tang et al. (2013) found that men and women in the USA tended to disclose more sexual thoughts and feelings than romantic partners in China;
E: However, despite this the level of relationship satisfaction was high in both cultures.
L: This shows that self-disclosure is not a requirement for successful relationships in all cultures suggesting that other factors e. physical attractiveness could have an equal if not greater impact,, making Social Penetration Theory culturally biased.
Self disclosure and break down
P: a limitation of self disclosure is that it may not lead to the deepening of the relationship but the breakdown
E: social pen theory claims (and research shows) that self disclosure in relationships is associated with satisfaction
E: however when a relationship breaks down partners often disclose more deeply to increase satisfaction but this often doesn’t save the relationship (Duck 2007)
L: thus challenging social pen theory claims that self disclosure leads to the relationship deepening decreasing its internal validity
