Factors affecting attraction - Self disclosure

• Self-disclosure


  When an individual reveals information about themselves to another person
• Self-disclosure


  • We tend to disclose more information to people we like
  • We like people who reveal more information about themselves to us
• Social penetration theory


  As a relationship develops over time, the breadth and depth of interpersonal communication increases
• Breadth of communication


  More topics can be discussed, certain topics might be off-limits with strangers but open with close friends
• Depth of communication


  How much detail can be gone into on a given topic, surface level with strangers, extreme depth with close friends
• Reciprocity


  A relationship will only develop if both partners actively self-disclose, not just one-sided
• Attribution


  Considering the underlying motivations behind someone's self-disclosure
• Appropriateness


  Self-disclosure should be appropriate to the stage of the relationship, not too much too soon
• Research by Sprecher and Hendrick found a positive correlation between self-disclosure and relationship satisfaction, love, and commitment
• Correlational research cannot establish causality, self-disclosure may not cause attraction, it could be the other way around or a third factor
• Differences in self-disclosure between men and women may be exaggerated, Sprecher and Hendrick found equal levels
• Self-disclosure may be more culturally specific, in collectivist societies like China higher relationship satisfaction is associated with lower self-disclosure