social penetration theory

• what is it?


  -gradual process of revealing your inner self to someone else

  -giving away your deepest thoughts & feelings
• SPT in romantic relationships

  -involves reciprocal exchange of information

  -when one partner reveals something personal information they display trust

  -to go further the other partner must do the same

  -as they disclose more & more they "penetrate" more deeply into each other's lives
• Altman & Taylor : two elements

  -BREADTH & DEPTH

  -as both increase, partners should become more committed

  -we reveal a lot at start of relationship but it's "on-the-surface"

  -breadth of disclosure is narrow

  -revealing too much too soon might threaten relationship

  -as relationship continues, self disclosure becomes deeper, encompassing wide range of topics
• Reis & Shaver


  -point out as relationship develops, as well as increase in breadth & depth, there needs to be a reciprocal element to disclosure

  -hope your partner responds to information in rewarding way

  -balance of self disclosure between both partners in successful romantic relationship

  -increases feelings of intimacy & deepens relationship
• summary 


  -successful relationships need to be breadth, depth & reciprocity

  -there should be balance of self-disclosure between partner which increases feeling of intimacy & deepens relationship