Self disclosure

This contains AO1 and AO3

What is self disclosure?

Revealing personal information and this allows a real;ationship to develop and when used correctly can strengthen a romantic relationship

• Breadth - types of topics that are disclosed that won’t scare the person but not so invaluable that they don’t feel a connection

• Depth - detail of disclosure becomes more in depth - more intimate high risk secrets

What is social penetration theory?

Revealing sensitive information and in return the partner must also reveal sensitive information

• this strengthens the bond and increases trust

What are the levels of self disclosure?

Appropriateness

• If there is too much depth self disclosure too early the partner assumes they lack social skills and this can hinder the relationship

Attributions of self disclosure

• If you think someone is attractive you are more likely to self disclose

Gender differences

• How much intimate info they disclose

Negative self disclosure

• Sometimes self disclosure can be negative if it is wrong timing too much is disclosed

Self disclosure AO3: Strength (evidence to support)

• Self disclosure is supported by research

• Specher and Hendrick found a strong correlation satisfaction in a relationship and self disclosure for both partners especially when they thought their partners also self disclosed

• Self disclosure that is reciprocated leads to more satisfaction in a relationship and this leads to more commitment.

• This research has good practical value regarding how to deepen a relationship

Self disclosure AO3: counterpoint

• However correlation does not mean causation

• The correlation between satisfaction and self-disclosure does not provide a valid conclusion which explains how relationships dorm

• This means there could be other factors that causes satisfaction in a relationship

• This reduces the validity of the theory

Self disclosure AO3: Strength (communication)

• Research shows that self disclosure helps to improve communication

• Haas and Stafford found that 57% of homosexual men and women said that open and honest self disclosure was the main way they maintained their relationship

• This shows that self disclosure can deepen and strengthen relationships.

• Real world application

Self disclosure AO3: Limitation (culture bound)

• Self disclosure can be culture bound

• Tang found that men and women in the US disclosed more about sexual preferences then men and women in China

• It was also found that this did not hinder the strength of the relationship

• Therefore the theory cannot be generalised across cultures