Factors Affecting Attraction: Self-Disclosure Flashcards
(19 cards)
self-disclosure definition
revealing personal information about yourself.
Romantic partners reveal more about their true selves as their relationships develop.
These self-disclosures about one’s deepest thoughts and feelings can strengthen a romantic bond when used appropriately.
AO3 (1) factors affecting attraction - self-disclosure
Support from Research Studies
- A strength of self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction is support from research studies
- For example, Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) studied heterosexual dating couples and found strong correlations between several measure of satisfaction and self-disclosure (both theirs and their partner’s)
- This is a strength as it shows men and women who used self-disclosure and those who believed their partner did likewise were more satisfied and committed to their relationship, showing the usefulness of self-disclosure
- However, it can be argued that it is limited as support as it only looks at single sex couples and there may be different factors that are at work to establish a successful relationship rather than self-disclosure
- Despite this, self-disclosure is still a factor that provides benefits for relationships despite other external factors and such findings increase our confidence in the validity that self-disclosure leads to more satisfying relationships
- Thus increasing the external validity of research support for self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction
AO3 (2) factors affecting attraction - self-disclosure
Real-life Application
- A strength of self-disclosure is that it has real-life application
- For example, Hass & Stafford (1998) found that gay men and women in their study said that open and honest self-disclosure was the main way they maintained and deepened their committed relationships
- This is a strength as it shows that self-disclosure can help to improve communication in their relationship to increase intimacy and strengthen their bond therefore increasing its utility as a factor affecting attraction
- However, it can be argued that discussion require a reciprocal process as It requires both partners to commit and be apart of self-disclosure and some deep self-disclosure of very intimate thought and feelings may not be enough to rescue a relationship.
- Despite this, such real-life application demonstrated the value of psychological insight, increasing its credibility
- Thus increasing the external validity of self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction
AO3 (3) factors affecting attraction - self-disclosure
Cultural Differences
- A weakness of self-disclosure is that there can be cultural differences
- For example, Tang et al (2013) reviewed the research literature regarding sexual self-disclosure (disclosure relating to feelings about specific sexual practices) they concluded that men and women in the USA (an individualistic culture) self-disclose significantly more sexual thoughts and feelings than men and women in China (a collectivist culture).
- This is a weakness as it shows both of these levels of self-disclosure are linked to relationships satisfaction in those cultures. Additionally the prediction that increasing depth and breadth of self-disclosure will lead to a more satisfying and intimate romantic relationships is not true for all cultures, therefore reducing its effectiveness.
- However, it can be argued that collectivistic culture is not the same for all as individual differences like urban/rural background can affect that. Furthermore, self-disclosure isn’t a universal requirement for successful relationships as even with higher levels of self-disclosure in some cultures relationship satisfaction can remain high.
- Despite this, self-disclosure theory is therefore a limited explanation of romantic relationships, based on findings from Western (individualistic cultures which are not necessarily generalisable to other cultures).
- Thus decreasing the external validity of self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction
What is self-disclosure?
Revealing personal information about oneself to another, especially in a romantic relationship.
What is the aim of self-disclosure in romantic relationships?
To increase intimacy, understanding, and empathy between partners (when reciprocal).
Why is self-disclosure used carefully at the beginning of relationships?
Too much too soon can damage trust and threaten the development of the relationship.
What does Social Penetration Theory propose?
Self-disclosure is a gradual process that allows deeper penetration into a partner’s life, increasing intimacy.
What metaphor is used to describe self-disclosure in this theory?
An onion — partners peel back layers over time to reveal deeper information.
What is needed for self-disclosure to work effectively according to this theory?
Reciprocity — both partners must reveal personal, intimate information over time.
What are the two key elements of self-disclosure?
Breadth and depth.
What does “breadth” refer to in self-disclosure?
The variety of topics discussed.
What does “depth” refer to in self-disclosure?
How intimate or personal the information is.
How do breadth and depth change over time in a relationship?
They both increase — more topics are discussed and more personal information is revealed.
What is typical of self-disclosure in early stages of a relationship?
Information is superficial and low-risk; breadth is narrow.
Why might revealing too much too soon be harmful?
It may signal mistrust or scare the partner away before intimacy has developed.
What did Reis and Shaver (1988) say about self-disclosure?
It must be reciprocal for the relationship to develop.
What happens when self-disclosure is reciprocated?
It leads to increased trust, intimacy, and emotional investment in the relationship.
What happens when self-disclosure is not reciprocated
It may damage the relationship and prevent deeper intimacy from forming.
