Self Disclosure Flashcards
What is self-disclosure
The extent to which a person reveals personal information about themselves
How does self disclosure interact with romantic relationships
People tend to perfer those who disclose intimate details to whose who disclose to a lesser extent. Equally, people reveal more intimate information to those who they like and tend to like those to whom they have revealed intimate information
What has research found in relation to the amount of self-disclosure given versus recieved
Research has typically shown that the level of self-disclosure received in a romantic relationship was a better predictor of liking and loving than the level of self disclosure that is given.
What did Sprecher find self-disclosure was positively related to
Relationship stability. In a study of 50 dating couples, Sprecher found that the amount of overall disclosure in the relationship was predictive of whether the couples stayed together for longer than four years
What type of self-disclosure has a greater effect on relationship satisfaction
Sprecher found that disclosure of things like personal disappointments and previous sexual relationships have a greater influence on relationship satisfaction than more ‘neutral’ types of self-disclosure
What is the social norm of self disclosure
The norm of reciprocity, where when one person discloses more, more disclosure is expected in return
Who suggested that self disclosure on a first date shouldn’t be too much or too little
Derlega and Grzelak
What was the procedure for Sprecher et al’s study
156 undergraduate students paired into two person dyads. Each dyad of unaquainted individuals engaged in a self-disclosure task over Skype. In the reciprocal condition, dyad members immediately took turns asking questions and disclosing. In the non-reciprocal condition, one person asked questions in the first interaction while the other disclosed, and the two then switched roles for the second interaction. After each interaction, the researchers assessed liking, closeness, percieved similarity and enjoyment of interaction
What did Sprecher find in their study
Individuals in the reciprocal condition dyads reported more liking, closeness, percieved similarity and enjoyment of interaction than those in the non reciprical dyads. This showed how turn-taking self-disclosure reciprocity is more likely to lead to positive interpersonal outcomes than extended reciprocity
How does self-disclosure change online
Some researchers have suggested that relationships formed over the internet involve higher levels of self-disclosure and attraction than in face-to-face relationships. Because internet activity is often anonymous, this may lead them to reveal more information about themselves. Cooper and Sportolari referred to this as the ‘boom and bust’ phenomenon. When people offer up information fast, relationships get intense fast (boom), however when the underlying trust and true knowledge of the person is not there, the relationships become difficult to sustain
Who argued that online relationships are ‘boom and bust’
Cooper and Sportolari
How do reality tv contestants and self-disclosure mix
Tal-Or and Hershman-Shitrit showed that the relationship between gradual self disclosure and attraction applies to reality TV contestants. In many shows self-disclosure happens very rapidly, but Tal-Or and hershman-Shitrit found that viewers preferred those individuals whose self-disclosure evolved gradually and then became more intimate
Who used reality tv contestants to prove slow disclosure is good
Tal-Or and Hershman-Shitrit
Why might self disclosure actually be less in online relationships than in face to face ones, countering the boom bust theory
Knop et al challenges the assumption of increased self disclosure in online relationships. Their study revealed that members of a social group disclose personal information more often in face-to-face interactions than in online ones. They suggest this may be due to a lack of intimacy on the internet, as a person self-disclosing appretiates nonverbal cues which aren’t present in an online environment
Who suggested that people disclose less online
Knop et al
Who revealed that Japanese women don’t like disclosure
Nakanishi
