Factors Effecting Attravtion, Self Disclosure

Question 1

Self disclosure

Answer 1

-Self disclosure plays a vital role in a relationship beyond initial attraction
-Self disclosure is the revealing of personal information in order to form a closer and more intimate relationship with someone else

Question 2

Social penetration theory

Answer 2

-Altman and Taylor
-The gradual process of revealing your innermost self to someone
-It’s a reciprocal exchange between two partners built on displays of trust
-As they increasingly expose information, they penetrate deeper into each other’s lives and gain a greater understanding of each other
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Question 3

Breadth and Depth of self disclosure

Answer 3

-As both breadth and Depth of information increases, partners become more intimate
-Breadth-superficial information which is low risk (favourite pets)
-There are a narrow amount of topics since you don’t want to disclose too much too soon, threatening the relationship before it’s fully formed
-Depth-as the relationship develops, deeper more high risk personal information is revealed spanning a wide range of topics (painful experiences and secrets)
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Question 4

Reciprocity in self disclosure

Answer 4

-Reis and Shaver
-As well as breadth and Depth, there must be a reciprocal sharing of information in order to balance things out
-Without it, it can lead to uncomfortable situations where you feel like you’ve revealed too much or you’re uncomfortable with revealing things

Question 5

Culture bias, Breadth and Depth

Answer 5

-Tang
-Reviews research literature regarding sexual self disclosure and concluded that men and women in the US (individualist) disclosed significantly more sexual thoughts than those in China (collectivist)

-The levels of intimate and deep self disclosure are not the same between cultures

Question 6

Practical applications

Answer 6

-Helps people improve communication in their relationships, using self disclosure skillfully and deliberately to increase levels of intimacy
-Hass and Stanford
-57% of gay men and women said that self disclosure and honesty was the way to maintain a committed relationship
-People with limited small talk communication can learn how to form more satisfying and committed relationships

Question 7

Research support

Answer 7

-Laurenceau
-Asked couples to write diary entries
-Found that self disclosure/the perception of self disclosure was linked to higher levels of intimacy in married couples and vice versa