factors affecting attraction - self-disclosure

• what is self-disclosure?

  telling someone information about yourself
• what happens as we learn more about someone?

  we tend to like them more and so feel attracted to them
• how is attraction deepened + the bond strengthened between a couple?

  by the partners revealing more about their thoughts/feelings as the relationship progresses
• what does social penetration theory suggest?

  couples go through a process of slowly penetrating into each other's lives through increasing self-disclosure
• what signals that an individual trusts their partner?

  they disclose something about themselves
• how does self-disclosure increase as the relationship progresses?

  increases in breadth + depth
• what can the development of a relationship be compared to?

  peeling the layers off an onionlow risk info - outer layershigh risk info revealed as the relationship develops - peeling off the layers
• describe the early stages of a relationship + the breadth

  superficial, 'low risk' information is revealed (outer layers of the onion) breadth is narrow as certain topics are 'off limits' to prevent 'too much' being revealed 'too soon
• describe what happens as a relationship develops + the breadth

  more personal + important information revealed (peeling layers) which covers an increasing breadth of subjects til we're ready to reveal 'high risk' information
• give examples of 'high risk' information

  painful memoriesdesiressecrets
• who supports social penetration theory + what do they suggest?

  Reis & Shaver self-disclosure is important in developing a relationship self-disclosure should be reciprocated to deepen a relationship balance of self-disclosure increases intimacy
• give two strengths of self disclosure as a factor affecting attraction

  :) good application - Hass & Stafford found 57% gay men + women reported using self-disclosure to maintain and deepen romantic relationships so research could help people wanting to deepen satisfaction + commitment in their romantic relationship :) predictions from SPT supported by research - Laurenceau et al looked at diary entries - found higher levels of self-disclosure + belief that partner used self-disclosure also correlated with higher levels of intimacy in long term married couples - correlational evidence to suggest SPT is valid
• give two limitations of self disclosure as a factor affecting attraction

  :( not properly validated - most research evidence supporting link between increased self-disclosure and increased satisfaction is correlational e.g. Laurenceau - may be other way around (satisfied couples more likely to disclose information to each other) :( poor population validity - prediction that breadth + depth of self-disclosure increases satisfaction and intimacy in romantic relationships not true in all cultures e.g. Tang et al - men & women in USA disclosed more sexual thoughts/feelings than men & women in China but satisfaction was the same in both