Self disclosure Flashcards
What is self disclosure?
voluntary sharing of private aspects of the self with another person
What did Collins and Miller (1994) find about self-disclosure?
Meta-analysis.
Greater levels of self-disclosure leads to greater feelings of intimacy.
People reveal more intimate to those they like and tend to like those they have revealed intimate information to.
What did Sprecher et al (2013) find about self-disclosure?
The level of self-disclosure received in romantic relationships was a better predictor of loving than the level of self-disclosure given.
In 50 dating couples, the amount of overall disclosure was predictive of whether the couples stayed together for more than 4 years.
Self-disclosure appears to be important in the development, maintenance and stability of relationships.
What are the norms of self-disclosure?
People should engage in moderately personal levels of self-disclosure in the early stages of a relationship.
Self-disclosure shouldn’t be so personal that the individual seems indiscriminate in who they disclose this information to.
However, it shouldn’t be so impersonal that the individual is unable to know the person better.
Norm of reciprocity: the more an individual discloses, the more they expect in return. Turn-taking, amount, type.
How did Sprecher investigate reciprocal self-disclosure and what did they find?
156 US undergraduate students took part in skype calls. Reciprocal condition pairs took turns in asking and disclosing. Non-reciprocal pairs took turns, first one person just asking then switched for the next interaction (extended reciprocity)
Reciprocal condition-higher levels of liking, closeness, perceived similarity and enjoyment even after the second interaction.
Turn-taking. reciprocity is more likely to lead to positive inter-personal relationships than extended reciprocity.
How can cultural differences be used to criticise theories of self-disclosure and romantic relationships?
Chen (1995) Americans disclose more than Chinese or Japanese
Nakanishi (1986) Japanese women prefer a lower level of self-disclosure and personal conversations than Japanese men. This is the opposite of western findings.
Importance of self-disclosure in attraction is influenced by culture.
What are the strengths and limitations of Sprecher’s research?
L-Sample bias/gender bias - more females
L-Artificial - through a screen, no body language, not representative of real life interactions.
S-control over variables, multiple conditions
What did Dindia and Allen (1992) find in terms of gender differences?
Meta analysis
Women disclosed more than men. Supports idea that women are more prone to emotional sharing.
Both males and females disclose more to a same-sex listener.
Women disclose substantially more if the listener is a friend or family member.
No gender differences when disclosing to a stranger.
How does the type of self-disclosure affect relationships?
Sprecher (1987)
Disclosure of personal disappointments, accomplishments and information about their previous sexual relationships has more influence on relationship satisfaction than neutral types os self-disclosure.
