Relationships Self disclosure A03

Question 1

How does Sprecher & Hendrick’s study support the role of self-disclosure in romantic relationships?

Answer 1

Sprecher & Hendrick (2004) studied heterosexual dating couples and found strong correlations between self-disclosure and relationship satisfaction—couples who disclosed more were more satisfied and committed. However, their sample consisted mainly of white, middle-class Americans, which limits the generalisability of the findings to more diverse populations and reduces the cultural and socioeconomic validity of the conclusions.

Question 2

What evidence challenges the universality of self-disclosure theory?

Answer 2

Tang et al. (2013) reviewed studies and found that in individualist cultures (e.g. the U.S.), people disclose more personal thoughts and feelings than in collectivist cultures (e.g. China), where disclosure is less intimate and more family-focused. Sprecher & Hendrick’s sample was exclusively American, so findings may not generalise cross-culturally—suggesting the theory is culturally biased.

Question 3

How has self-disclosure research been applied in real life?

Answer 3

Research into self-disclosure has been used in couples therapy to improve communication. Helping partners disclose more openly and reciprocally can increase intimacy and satisfaction. This has real-world value for improving and maintaining healthy romantic relationships.