AO3 - Self-Disclosure

• Research to support self-disclosure was conducted by Sprecher and Hendrick. They studied heterosexual dating couples and found strong correlations between several measures of satisfaction and self-disclosure (both theirs and their partner’s). Men and women who used self-disclosure and those who believed their partners did likewise (reciprocation) were more satisfied with and committed to their romantic relationships. Therefore, increasing the validity of reciprocated self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction in romantic relationships.
• However, much of the research carried out into self-disclosure theory is correlational. Therefore, cause and effect cannot be established between self-disclosure and levels of attraction. For example, it may be the more satisfied the partners are, the more they disclose or there could be another intervening factor impacting how successful the romantic relationship is e.g. the amount of time partners spend together or physical attractiveness. Therefore, limiting the support and internal validity of the research into self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction in romantic relationships.
• The concept of self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction in romantic relationships can be limited by cultural relativism. The theory that self-disclosure increases attraction is more relevant to western relationships. This makes it difficult to generalise the findings to non-western cultures. Research found that men and women in the US self-disclose significantly more sexual thoughts than men and women in China. However, despite lower levels in China, levels of satisfaction in relationships were the same as the US. Lowering the external validity of self-disclosure.