Self-dsclousure

• social penetration theory:

  Taylor and Altman

  gradual process in which they reveal true self

  reveal deepest feelings

  reciprocal exchange of info between two intimate partners

  when one starts releasing this info they are singling I trust you to further the relationship

  as they reveal more information they penetrate more deeply into each others lives to gain a greater understanding of each other
• Self disclosure:


  two elements being breadth and depth

  As both of these increase the partners become more committed to each other

  use a metaphor of an onion to describe this process. We disclose a lot at the start of a relationship, but is superficial most likely ‘on the surface’ like the outer layers of an onion. This type of information is low-risk.
• self disclosure:


  THREE LAYERS:

  1. The outside being Peripheral layer. This is where the superficial information is said. For example the weather
  2. The second layer is called the intermediate layer. Once the relationship has became the information released is more high-risk. For example: you may say I didn't do that well on an exam.
  3. The third layer is called the central layer. The deepest layer. This is where the relationship has been going for quite awhile. This is where very intermit information is being released. For example: You nearly beat someone up.
• Self disclosure:


  if someone is only disclosing information at a peripheral level and you are at a central level. You are less likely to be attracted to them as the level of intimacy isn't high. This would show the bond is weak
• self disclosure:


  Breadth of disclosure is narrow because many topics are ‘off limits’ at the start of a relationship. If we reveal too much it may even cause the relationship to end before it even got started.

  However, as the relantionship grows and develops, self disclosure becomes deeper, progressively removing more layers and revealing out true selves. This means that those topics which were ‘off limits’ at the start may not be now.

  Eventually we are prepared to reveal intimate, high-risk information such as painful experiences.