Self Disclosure

• Factors affecting attraction:

  Self Disclosure 

  Physical Attraction

  FIlter Theory 
• Self Disclosure

  ?

  A) ?

  
• Self Disclosure Definition?


  • Revealing/sharing personal information about the self to another person, in order to understand each other & strengthen relationships - develops relationships beyond initial attraction. E.g. revealing likes and dislikes, hopes, fears, interests & attitudes (sharing what really matters to us).
• Self Disclosure, at first, effect?

  • Information can be superficial at first with a low breadth of disclosure, since most people are careful about disclosing too much too soon - low risk.
  • Has the general effect of increasing attractiveness & closeness; encourages reciprocal exposure.
  • High & slow self disclosure has the general effect of increasing attractiveness & closeness; encourages reciprocal exposure.
• Social Penetration Theory (SPT) - Year & WHO?

  Altman and Taylor (1973) 
• What did A & T say self disclosure was?

  Altman and Taylor (1973) suggest self disclosure is a gradual process of revealing your inner self to someone else, it is limited at the start and involves the reciprocal exchange of personal information between partners (that has to happen). 
• SPT Explanation?

  • Their theory of social penetration claims that by gradually revealing emotions & experiences to each other, while listening to their reciprocal sharing of personal information, allows people to gain a greater understanding of each other, which opens them up to display trust (revealing personal information is a sign of trust).
  • Penetration: Leads to the relationship developing as they disclose more information about themselves. As more and more is disclosed, the partners ‘penetrate’ more deeply into each other’s lives and gain a greater understanding of each other. 
• Depenetration def?

  Depenetration describes how dissatisfied partners self disclose less as they disengage from the relationship.
• The SPT talks about how Breadth and Depth of self disclosure are key.

  Both breadth and depth of self disclosure are key according to the social penetration theory (‘layers of an onion’ metaphor).
• Breadth


  • This is narrow at the start of the relationship with some topics ‘off limit’ (low risk info only). SURFACE OF AN ONION. Amount of topics, not how detailed you go into them . 
  • Breadth is narrow at the start of a relationship because if too much information is revealed this may be off-putting and one partner may decide to quit the relationship.
• Depth


  • People share a lot of information about certain aspects of themselves (high risk info).
  • Depth increases as a relationship develops more layers are gradually revealed - reveal more of our ‘true -selves’ - peeling back the layers of the onion. We are likely to reveal more intimate information including painful memories, secrets etc
  • It is how deep/personal you go into a given topic/subject.
• Who & Year - Reciprocity and self-disclosure?

  Reis & Shaver (1988) - the need for reciprocity for a relationship to develop.
• Reciprocity and self-disclosure

  The need for reciprocity for a relationship to develop.

  • For a relationship to develop as well as an increase in breadth & depth, there needs to be a reciprocal element to disclosure.
  • This is similar to attachment - when you disclose something you hope your partner will respond in a way which is rewarding/understanding and will also share their own disclosure with you (received sensitively by them).
  • This leads to a balance of self-disclosure between both partners, which leads to increased feelings of intimacy & a more successful romantic relationship.