Evaluation

• Research support- is present to support social penetration theory. Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) studied heterosexual dating couples finding strong correlations between several measures of satisfaction and self-disclosure. This means partners who used self disclosure and believed it to be likewise from the other party, had more commited, stronger relationships. Sprecher (2013) in a later study found that taking turns to self disclosure was found more satisfying. This supports the validity of findings of the social penetration theory.
• Counterpoint- Majority of the self-disclosure research is correlational suggesting that greater self disclosure leads to more satisfaction but does not tell us if this is a valid conclusion to draw. Alternative explanations are just as likely.eg. where partners are more satisfied, they are more likely to self-disclose. Furthermore. self disclosure and satisfaction may be independent to each other and there may be a third variable. eg. time. This may reduce the validity of social penetration theory as they may not directly affect each other.
• Real-world application - Research into self disclosure can aid communication in relationships. Self disclosure is often used deliberately in romantic relationships to strengthen the bond. Haas and Stafford (1998) found that 57% of homosexual men and women said that open and honest self disclosure was the main way they maintained and deepened their relationship. Also aiding the person who is less skilled in self disclosure could bring several benefits. this shows psych insights useful in problems in relationships
• Cultural differences- Tang et al (2013) reviewed research into sexual self disclosure and concluded men and women in the US (as an individualist culture) tend to reveal more about their sexual thoughts and feelings than those of a collectivist culture. Despite the low levels of disclosure in China, satisfaction was not much different to the US therefore, self-disclosure theory may be limited in its explanation of romantic relationships because it is based on findings from individualist cultures which is not generalisable.