factors affecting attraction - self disclosure

• self disclosure:

  • revealing personal information about yourself
  • relationship formation built on trust - leads to greater satisfaction
• social penetration theory (altman + taylor):

  • gradual process of revealing information + reciprocal exchange
  • when they reveal they display trust, to progress partner must reveal sensitive info as well
  • increased disclosure leads to deeper penetration, depenetration = gradually discussing less as they disengage
• breadth + depth:

  • more disclosure = more commitment
  • onion metaphor - discuss superficial info at start e.g studies, then reveal more sensitive info e.g religion
  • as relationship develops more layers revealed, eventually intimate details disclosed
• reciprocity of self disclosure (reis + shaver):

  • once someone discloses, partner should respond in rewarding way (empathy/intimate thoughts)
  • balance of self disclosure - increases intimacy + deepens relationships
• EVALUATION: research support

  • sprecher + hendrick - heterosexual couples, found strong correlation between measures of satisfaction + self disclosure
  • laurenceau et al - self disclosure + self perception of self disclosure led to higher levels of intimacy in married couples
  • increased confidence in validity of self disclosure
• EVALUATION: correlation vs causation

  • link between satisfaction + self disclosure but cause + effect established
  • strong applications e.g marriage counselling - used to increase communication + achieve higher satisfaction
  • social penetration theory can be used in real life