Self Disclosure

Question 1

Self disclosure

Answer 1

Refers to the info we decide to reveal about ourselves within an romantic relationship

Question 2

The social penetration theory

Answer 2

• Suggests that the process of intimacy increases through self disclosure
• Suggests that the process of self disclosure allows one person to penetrate deeper into the life of their partner

Question 3

Depth and breadth

Answer 3

• There is a positive correlation between the increasing quality and trust within a relationship coinciding with increasing depth and breadth of received information

Question 4

Strengths

Answer 4

Hass and Stafford
- Researchers found that couples with high levels of intimacy within their relationships 57% used self disclosure as a way to maintain it
- Increases the validity of the social penetration theory

Laurencleu
- Researchers found that based on diary entries high levels of trust and intimacy were strongly associated with self disclosure
-Suggests the breadth an d depth of self disclosure is predictive of intimacy

Question 5

Limitations

Answer 5

Issue of correlational studies - Sprecher and Hendrick
- Because there is a correlation between satisfaction and self disclosure does not necessarily mean that the former forms the latter
- means that correlational studies cannot be replied upon to demonstrate the mechanism of self disclosure in relation to the quality of relationships