self disclosure Flashcards
What is self disclosure?
Revealing personal information about yourself
What is Altman and Taylor’s social penetration theory?
Reciprocal exchange of info between partners
Revealing info displays trust, other partner must then return this
Increasingly disclose deeper info
Penetrate more into each other’s lives, gaining greater understanding
What are the two elements of self disclosure?
Breadth and depth
As these increase partners become more committed
What is breadth?
Disclose lots of superficial info at the start
Low risk info
Topics are off limits at the start - response of too much information, threatening the relationship
What is depth?
As it develops disclosure becomes deeper
Removing layers revealing true self
Intimate high risk info - pain, beliefs, secrets
What did Reis and Shaver believe about self disclosure?
Needs to be a reciprocal element
Partner responds with empathy and understanding, their own disclosure
Balance of self disclosure increases feelings of intimacy
Evaluation - research support
Sprecher and Hendrick - studied straight couples
Correlations between measures of satisfaction and self disclosure
Those who used self disclosure and believed their partners did were more committed and satisfied
Evaluation - real life application
Can help improve communication
Hass and Stafford - 57% of gay men and women said self disclosure was the main way they maintained their relationship
Could use this for other couples who struggled
Evaluation - cultural differences
Tang - concluded Americans disclose more sexual thoughts than those in China
Both levels are linked to relationship satisfaction
Limited explanation
Evaluation - self disclosure and satisfaction
Relationship breakdown accompanied by reduction in self disclosure using this metaphor
However Duck - couples discuss their deteriorating relationship to save it
May not rescue it - self disclosure doesn’t always enhance relationship
Evaluation - correlation vs causation
May be the other way round
Greater satisfaction means couples disclose more
Third variable - time spent
