Self-disclosure

• What is self-disclosure?


  Revealing personal information about yourself
• Romantic partners reveal more about their true selves as the relationship develops
• Research suggests that the level of self-disclosure received in a relationship is a better predictor of liking and loving than the level of self-disclosure given
• What did Sprecher (1987) find?


  That disclosure of personal experiences has a greater influence on relationship satisfaction than more 'neutral' types of self disclosure
• What does the social penetration theory say?

  That low risk information is revealed early in the relationship and high risk information comes out as the relationship progresses
• Who developed the social penetration theory?


  Altman and Taylor
• Who developed the theory of reciprocity?


  Reis and Shaver (1988)
• What does the theory of reciprocity say?

  Breadth and depth are not sufficient for a relationship to develop there must be a reciprocal element
• Once you have disclosed something that reveals your true self, hopefully your partner will respond in a way which is rewarding, with understanding and empathy and their own intimate thoughts and feelings
• A balance of self-disclosure between both partners deepens the relationship and makes it successful
• What research studies are there which support this theory?

  Sprecher and Hendrick (2004)

  Laurenceaue et al (2005)

  Collins and Miller (1994)