Self Disclosure

• Self disclosure is a factor affecting attraction in romantic relationships and refer to the sharing of personal information
• At the beginning of a relationship an individual would only disclose low risk information and as the relationship develops they would disclose higher risk information
• Self disclosure refers to the extent a person gradually reveals personal information to another
• Self disclosure involves the reciprocal exchange of information between romantic partners which enables a couple to understand eachother better
• People reveal more personal information to the people they like and they like people more who reveal personal information to them
• People view disclosure for others as rewarding since it shows they like and trust them
• For a relationship to develop, disclosure needs to be reciprocal which is achieved when an individual has revealed something and their partner responds in the same way by revealing something
• The more one person discloses to another, the more disclosure expected in return
• Turn taking allows for a balance of self-disclosure between both partners which increases positive interpersonal outcomes, feelings of intimacy and deepens the relationship
• The appropriateness of the disclosure is affected by social norms and revealing too much, too early on in a relationship may be seen as inappropriate and decrease attraction
• according to Collins and Miller (1994), people are more attracted to those who give more intimate self disclosure, but, if that disclosure comes at an inappropriate time in the relationship that might be seen as violating social norms and decrease attraction
• People will be less attracted if a person is seen as the type of person who discloses personal information to anyone
• People will be more attracted to someone if they seem selective about who they disclose personal information
• Generally, women are seen as better communicators and more interested in disclosing personal information than males
• Intimate self disclosure by a male may be viewed as rewarding to a female and therefore increasing attraction
• Males may not be used to intimate self disclosure by women, and this may make them feel uncomfortable and decrease attraction