Factors Affecting Attraction: Self-Disclosure Flashcards
What is self-disclosure in relationships?
The sharing of personal information. Greater self-disclosure tends to lead to greater levels of intimacy and research has found that individuals prefer people who disclose intimate details about themselves. This creates a sense of trust which is crucial to the early stages.
What is social penetration theory?
Gradual development of communication from relatively shallow levels to deeper ones. Involves reciprocal exchange of information between intimate partners. As they disclose more and more, they penetrate more deeply into each others lives.
What is the onion metaphor?
People share depth about certain aspects of themselves but consider some topics to be off limits. As trust and understanding builds, so does the breadth and depth. It is the gradual process of revealing your inner self to someone else.
What is breadth disclosure?
We disclose a lot about ourselves at the start of the relationship but what we reveal is superficial
What is depth disclosure?
We reveal more and more layers to reveal our true selves. Eventually we are prepared to reveal more intimate hgh risk information such as painful memories, strongly held beliefs and secrets.
What is reciprocity to self disclosure?
When we disclose something to someone, they feel rewarded and validated which encourages them to disclose info about themselves. There is a balance in self disclosure between both partners in a successful romantic relationship, which increases feelings of intimacy and deepens the relationship.
Appropriateness of self disclosure?
Disclosing personal information at inappropriate times would not be helpful
Attributions for the disclosure?
If we believe that an individual is the type to disclose info to everyone, it would not feel special. Conversely if a very private individual opens up, it makes us feel valued.
Gender differences?
Woman are regarded as more interested in personal information so are likely to be attracted to men who make personal disclosures.
Content of the disclosure?
Too personal information could make people feel uncomfortable whilst low disclosures will not help attraction take place
SELF DISCLOSURE - Research evidence?
Sprecher and Hendrick collected data on hererosexual couples who were dates and found that there was a strong correlation between self disclosure and satisfaction. Those who experienced reciprocal self disclosure were more satisfied and committed to their relationship
SELF DISCLOSURE - Cause and effect?
It could be that if a couple are more satisfied this will lead to greater self disclosure rather than the other way round. Correlation rather than causation limits the validity of the concept.
SELF DISCLOSURE - Practical applications?
Kleinke found that individuals who were perceived as more selective about who they disclose information to were seen as more attractive. Supports the idea that self disclosure plays a key role in fostering attraction in the early stages of relationships. This will benefit people in society to help couples progress their romantic relationships.
SELF DISCLOSURE - Ethnocentric?
Based on research in Western culture. Tang found that men and women in the USA tended to disclose more sexual thoughts and feelings than romantic partners in China, however the level of satisfaction was high in both cultures.
