Self-Disclosure Flashcards
Self-Disclosure
Revealing personal information about yourself
More disclosure = greater feelings of intimacy
Social Penetration Theory
Self-disclosure is a concept within Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor’s social penetration theory of how relationships develop.
The theory is a about a gradual process of revealing inner self, reciprocal exchange and difficult to bear soul to a stranger.
Breadth and Depth of Self-Disclosure
Breath of disclosure is narrow because many topics are off limits in early stages of relationship.
As a relationship develops, self-disclosure becomes deeper, progressively removing more and more layers to reveal our true selves and things that matter most to us.
Reciprocity of Self-Disclosure
Harry Reis and Phillip Shaver (1988) point out that there needs to be a reciprocal element to disclosure. Once you have decided to disclose something that reveals your true self, hopefully your partner will respond in a way that is rewarding. This increases feelings of intimacy and deepens the relationship.
