AO1

• breadth

  amount of topics
• depth

  how deep you will give to a given topic

  how personal you get on a given subject
• Social penetration theory

  (SPT)

  Altman & Taylor (1973) said that SPT is focused on how relationships develop

  It's a gradual process of revealing personal information to a potential partner

  It involves a reciprocal exchange of personal information between partners

  As more is disclosed, partners 'penetrate' more deeply into the other's life and gain a greater understanding of each other
• Reis and Shaver (1988)

  Reciprocity and self-disclosure

  for a relationship to develop and increase in breadth and depth, there needs to be a reciprocal element to disclosure

  
  

  when you disclose something you hope your partner will respond in a way thats rewarding and understanding and they will share their own disclosure

  
  

  this leads to a balance of self-disclosure between both partners which leads to increased feelings of intimacy and a more successful romantic relationship
• self disclosure

  revealing intimate aspects of yourself to others