Relationships: topic 2 ‘factors affecting attraction - self disclosure’

Question 1

What is self disclosure?

Answer 1

• the idea behind self disclosure is that the revealing of personal information about oneself to another individual is crucial to the development of a closer, more intimate romantic relationship

Question 2

what did altmann and taylor believe about self disclosure?

Answer 2

• they argue that relationships develop through gradual increases in the breath and depth of self disclosed information between individuals
• the disclosure of personal information by others as rewarding, as it signals their liking of us and their desire to be more intimate with us
• this fits with the idea of social exchange, where individuals are more attracted to those who provide them with rewarding outcomes

Question 3

what did reis and shaver believe about self disclosure?

Answer 3

• they also argued that self disclosure must be reciprocal if a relationship is to develop
• when a person discloses highly personal information, it is in the hope that their partner will respond with understanding, but also with their own intimate thoughts and feelings
• this balance of self disclosure between romantic partners increases their intimacy and deepen the relationship

Question 4

strengths of self disclosure

Answer 4

P - evidence to support self disclosure comes from laurenceau
E - they found that self disclosure and the perception of self disclosure in a partner was linked to higher levels of intimacy in long-term married couples
E - the reverse is also true, less intimate couples self disclosed less often
L - this suggests about the theory of self disclosure as a factor affecting attraction is a valid one

P - support from hass and stafford
E - they found that 57% of gay men and women in their study said that open and on his self disclosure was the main way they maintained and deepened their committed relationships, therefore, showing not using self disclosure skilfully can help individuals to form relationships
E - this might also suggest that, if partners who are less skilled in their communication and limit themselves to small talk could learn to use self disclosure, this could bring several benefits of the relationship in terms of greater satisfaction and commitment
L - positive as it supports the idea that self disclosure is important in developing a close, intimate relationship