Self-disclosure

• Self-disclosure: revealing intimate info to another person. Share what really matters to us. Most are careful about disclosing too much too soon. Important role in relationships beyond initial attraction.
• Social penetration theory: Altman and Taylor (1973) suggest it's a gradual process of revealing inner self to someone else. Sign of trust. Partner has to reciprocate.

  As romantic partners disclose more info they 'penetrate' more deeply into each others lives. Depenetration is dissatisfied partners self-disclosing less as they disengage from relationship.

  Both breadth and depth of self-disclosure are key. Breadth initially narrow bc if too much info revealed, may be offputting.

  As relationship develops more likely to reveal more intimate info inc painful memories, secrets, etc.
• Reis and Shaver (1988) suggest, in addition to broadening and deepening of self-disclosure, must be reciprocity. Successful relationships will involve disclosure from one partner, recieved sensitively by the other. This should then lead to further self-disclosure by the other partner.
• ++Support for self-disclosure from research studies. Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) found strong correlations between several measures of satisfaction and self-disclosure in hetero couples. Men and women who used self-disclosure (and believed their partners disclosed too) more satisfied and committed to their relationships. Supports validity of view reciprocated self-disclosure is key part of satisfying romantic relationship.
• ++ Real world application to improve communication. Hass and Stafford (1998) found 57% of homo men and women reported they use open and honest self-disclosure as relationship maintenance strategy. Couples who limit communication to 'small talk' can be encouraged to inc self-disclosure to deepen relationships. Highlights importance of self-disclosure and suggests theory can be used to support people having relationship problems.
• -- Self-disclosure is not satisfying in all cultures. Tang et al. (2013) concluded people in the US (individualist culture) self-disclose significantly more sexual thoughts and feelings than people in China (collectivist culture). Even though level of disclosure lower in China, relationship satisfaction no different than US. Social penetration theory is a limited explanation of romantic relationships because it is not necessarily generalisable to all cultures.