RS- Self Disclosure

Question 1

What is self-disclosure?

Answer 1

• Self-disclosure refers to the revealing of personal information to a partner, for instance likes and dislikes, hopes and fears, deepest thoughts and feelings.
• This can strengthen the romantic ‘bond’ between partners.

Question 2

What is reciprocity of self-disclosure?

Answer 2

• Reis and Shaver (1988) suggest that for a relationship to develop, there needs to be reciprocity in information-sharing.
• Once a person reveals something intimate about themselves they expect their partner to respond in kind.
• This strengthens the relationship by increasing feelings of intimacy and connectedness.

Question 3

What factors affect the success of self-disclosure?

Answer 3

1) Appropriateness: Self-disclosure might not be always appropriate e.g on the first date it might be seen as not very attractive
2) Gender differences: Females are generally better communicators and tend to self-disclose more. If a male does self-disclose information it could be very rewarding because it signals the male trusts and likes her.
3) Content: Disclosing highly intimate info might decrease attraction levels if its in the early stages of a relationship.

Question 4

Evaluate self-disclosure. (ADVANTAGES)

Answer 4

1) Kito (2010) found research evidence to support the ideas of self-disclosure across different cultures.
- Kito investigated Japanese and American students in different types of relationships, and found that self -disclosure was high for Japanese and American students in romantic relationships that were heterosexual.
- Self-disclosure was the highest in this type of relationship compared to same sex relationships and cross sex friendship groups.
- Therefore self-disclosure is an important factor in romantic relationships and is cross cultural.

2) Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) found strong correlations between measures of satisfaction in relationships and levels of self-disclosure. High levels of self-disclosure were associated with more satisfaction, supporting the idea that self-disclosure makes the relationship more emotionally intimate and deepens understanding.

3) Research has found that relationships formed over the internet involve a high amount of self-disclosure and attraction when compared to face to face relationships.
- This is because individuals on the internet can be more anonymous and they feel more comfortable self-disclosing lots of information.
- Cooper (1997) devised the, “Boom or Bust” theory, whereby people on the internet self-disclose information earlier than they would if they were meeting someone face to face.
- The relationship can get intense very quickly, (boom), or it might be very difficult to sustain the relationship as it has moved too quickly (bust)

Question 5

Evaluate self-disclosure (DISADVANTAGES)

Answer 5

1) Self-disclosure can be criticised because it seems unlikely that attraction of a potential partner is reliant on self-disclosure alone.
- Self-disclosure might be an important element, but other factors are also needed in order to increase attraction, such as physical attraction, similarity etc. (-)