Self disclosure

Question 1

What is self disclosure?

Answer 1

Process of revealing intimate and personal information

Question 2

Who proposed the social penetration theory?

Answer 2

Altman & Taylor

Question 3

What does the social penetration theory of self disclosure say?

Answer 3

Self disclosure involved a reciprocal exchange of info between partners whereby as more is revealed overtime, their bond is strengthened

Question 4

Who proposed reciprocity in self disclosure?

Answer 4

Reis & Shaver

Question 5

What is breadth and depth of self disclosure?

Answer 5

It states that in the early stages of a relationship, there is a narrow breadth due to the revealing of low risk information. Overtime, in the later stages, high risk information is shared which results in a more emotionally stable relationship

Question 6

How is research into self disclosure culturally biased?

Answer 6

Research is based off western, individualistic cultures. Tang et al found that USA women and male tend disclose more sexual information in comparison to couples in China but both have high levels of satisfaction. This means that the breadth is not important for successful relationships

Question 7

What are two strengths of research into self disclosure?

Answer 7

+ Real world application
SD can help in communication, some use it for increase intimacy and bonds in r, Has and Stafford found 57% homo considered open sd to maintain r = if less skilled learned = + commitment & satisfaction benefits

+ Research support (Sprecher & Hendrick)
+ sd = + satisfaction in hetero couples & genders = + commitment
Laurenceau et al - diary entries ab progress = sd & perceptions = + intimacy &

C: correlational research, cannot conclude, may be that the time spend (3rd variable) = more self disclosure = more satisfaction = - validity of findings