Self-disclosure

Question 1

What is self-disclosure?

Answer 1

Sharing personal information with other they wouldn’t normally know/discover. Form intimate connections with people we disclose important information about ourselves to.

Question 2

Appropriateness to disclosure:

Answer 2

Sometimes disclosing personal information is inappropriate e.g. early in relationship - may indicate you lack social skills and will decrease attraction.

Question 3

Why is self-disclosure important?

Answer 3

• Feeling emotionally connected to partner.
• Stronger commitment to relationship.
• Happier in relationship.

Question 4

Factors influencing self-disclosure:

Answer 4

1. Personality: extroverted people have easier time forming relationships and easier to disclose info.
2. Mood: happy people more likely to disclose.
3. Gender: women more likely to disclose than men. Seen as better communicators.

Question 5

Attributions of self-disclosure:

Answer 5

• Kleincke (1979) found individuals who are selective about disclosure seen as more attractive.
• Wortman et al (1976): individuals felt trusted and admired when they believed they had been specifically selected for intimate disclosure.

Question 6

Altman and Taylor (1973): Social penetration theory:

Answer 6

Suggests relationships develop through 2 dimensions of self-disclosed information between people:
1. Increased breadth (range of content).
2. Depth (quality).

Question 7

Stage 1: Self-disclosure:

Answer 7

Revealing personal information is sign of trust and partner has to reciprocate and reveal info about themselves.

Question 8

Stage 2: Penetration leads to development:

Answer 8

As partners increasingly disclose, they penetrate more deeply into each others lives.

Question 9

Stage 3: Breadth narrow:

Answer 9

If too much information revealed, may be off-putting leading to one partner quitting.

Question 10

Stage 4: Depth increases:

Answer 10

As relationship develops, more layers revealed e.g. painful memories.

Question 11

Reis and Shaver (1988):

Answer 11

For a relationship to develop, there needs to be reciprocal element to disclosure. Balance of disclosure between partners leads to increased feelings of intimacy and deepens relationship.

Question 12

Strength: research support.

Answer 12

Research support. Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) men and women who used self-disclosure in relationship more satisfied and committed to it (positive correlation found). Increases validity.

Question 13

Limitation: cultural bias.

Answer 13

Self-disclosure doesn’t lead to satisfying relationship across all cultures. Tang et al (2013) concluded in individualistic cultures, self-disclosure is more sexual thoughts and feelings than collectivist cultures. Limited explanation with Western bias.

Question 14

Limitation: also linked to breakdown of relationships.

Answer 14

Also linked to breakdown of relationships. Duck (2007) phase model recognises couples often discuss their relationship with each other before concluding to continue with the break up. May not always lead to positive developments.