Self-disclosure Flashcards
What is self-disclosure?
- Sharing of personal information with others they would not normally know or discover.
- We form more intimate connections with people we disclose important information to about ourselves, happens due to trust.
-Vital role in relationship beyond initial attraction as it develops understanding between two people.
Appropriateness of the disclosure.
- Disclosure of highly intimate info may be seen as inappropriate and as violating social norms, particularly early stages of relationships.
- Can decrease attraction; recipient may feel threatened and unsure of how to respond.
- Sometimes disclosing personal info is inappropriate - may indicate you lack social skills.
Why is self-disclosure important?
- Feeling emotionally connected to your partner.
- Stronger commitment to relationship.
- Happier in relationship.
Factors that influence self-disclosure: 1. Personality.
People who are naturally more extroverted and have easier time forming relationships are more likely to disclose early on in relationship.
Factors that influence self-disclosure: 2. Mood.
Affects how much personal information people choose to share with others. Researchers found people in happy mood more likely to disclose than those in negative mood.
Factors that influence self-disclosure: 3. Gender.
Women tend to disclose more than men as they are seen as better communicators. Self-disclosure by male may be seen as very rewarding by female as it indicates he especially wants to disclose personal information to her.
Attributions for the disclosure: Kleinke (1979)
- Kleinke (1979) found individuals who were selective about who they disclosed personal information to were seen as more attractive.
- Supported by Wortman et al (1976) who reported when individuals believed they have been specially selected for intimate disclosure, felt trusted and admired.
- We’re less attracted to individuals seen to be people who disclose personal information to everyone.
- More attraction occurs if we believe an individual sees us as someone they have chosen to disclose intimate information to.
Social Penetration Theory: Altman and Taylor (1973)
Suggest that relationships develop through two dimensions of self-disclosed information between two people:
1. Increased breath (range of content).
2. Depth (quality).
- Disclosure of personal info by others is seen as rewarding, it signals their liking of us.
Social Penetration Theory - Stage 1: Self-disclosure:
Gradual process. Revealing personal information is sign of trust, at beginning we reveal superficial information e.g. hobbies. Partner has to reciprocate and reveal information about themselves.
Social Penetration Theory - Stage 2: Penetration leads to development:
As romantic partners increasingly disclose, they ‘penetrate’ more deeply into each other’s lives.
Social Penetration Theory - Stage 3: Breadth is narrow:
Breadth is narrow at start because if too much info is revealed this may be off-putting leading to one partner quitting.
Social Penetration Theory - Stage 4: Depth increases:
- As a relationship develops, more layers are gradually revealed. We’re likely to reveal more intimate info including painful memories, difficult experiences etc.
Reciprocity of Self-disclosure: Reis and Shaver (1988):
- Reis and Shaver (1988) point out for relationship to develop as well as increase in depth and breadth, there needs to be reciprocal element to disclosure.
- Once you have decided to disclose something revealing your true self, you hope for your partner to respond in a way that’s rewarding, with understanding, empathy and their own intimate thoughts and feelings.
- Balance of self-disclosure between both partners in successful romantic relationships, which increases feelings of intimacy and deepens relationship.
Strength: research support:
P: Research support.
E: Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) found strong correlation between several measures of self-satisfaction and self-disclosure in heterosexual couples. Men and women who used self-disclosure were more satisfied and committed to their relationship.
C: Increases validity as leads to more satisfying relationships.
CA: Although they found positive correlation, cannot assume it to be casual relationship. Means we can’t suggest self-disclosure causes effect of higher satisfaction in relationships. Suggests the research support provides limited support for theory.
Limitation: cultural differences.
P: Self-disclosure does not lead to satisfying relationships across all cultures.
E: Tang et al (2013) concluded individualistic cultures, self-disclosure more sexual thoughts and feelings than collectivist culture. Both levels of self-disclosure linked with satisfaction in those cultures but nevertheless, the pattern of disclosure is different.
C: Suggests self-disclosure may be limited explanation of romantic relationships based on findings from Western cultures.
