Psychology Relationships | Factors affecting attraction - Self disclosure AO3

Supporting research +

P: Many of the predictions of self disclosure derived from social penetration theory have been supported by research.

E: Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) studied heterosexual dating couples and found strong correlations between several measures of satisfaction and self disclosure (both theirs and their partners.)

In short, men and women who used self disclosure and those who believed their partners did likewise were more satisfied with and committed to their romantic relationship

E: Furthermore, Laurenceau et al (2005) found self-disclosure and the perception of self disclosure in a partner were linked to higher levels of intimacy in long term married couples.

L: Supporting research increases our confidence in the validity of the theory that self disclosure leads to more satisfying relationships.

Real life applications +

P: There are a number of practical applications of self disclosure research for people who want to improve their communication in their relationship.

E: Hass and Stafford found that 57% of gay men and women in their study said that open and host self disclosure was the main way they maintained and deepened their committed relationships

E: If less skilled partners, for example, those who tend to limit communication to small talk, can learn to use self disclosure then this could bring several benefits to the relationships in terms of deepening satisfaction and commitment

L: Such real life application demonstrates the value of the psychological insights.

Cultural Differences -

P: The assumption that increasing depth and breadth of self disclosure will lead to a more satisfying and intimate relationships is not true for all cultures

E: Tang et al (2013) reviewed the research literature regarding sexual self disclosure

E: They concluded that men and women in the USA (individualistic) self disclose significantly more sexual thoughts and feelings than men and women in China (collectivist)

Both these levels of self disclosure are linked to relationship satisfaction in those cultures.

L: Self disclosure theory is therefore a limited explanation of romantic relationships, based on the findings of western cultures which are not necessarily generalisable to other cultures.

Self disclosure and satisfaction -

Social penetration theory claims that romantic relationships become more intimate as self disclosures deepen and broaden

E: Using the onion metaphor, relationship breakdown is accompanied by a reduction in self disclosure as partners wrap themselves up once again in layers of concealment.

E: However, theories of relationship breakdown(e.g Ducks) often recognise how couples discuss and negotiate the state of their deteriorating relationship in an attempt to save it or return to an earlier level of satisfaction.

L: Discussions that lead to deep self disclosures of intimate thoughts and feelings may not always be enough to rescue a relationship, in fact, they may even contribute to it’s breakdown.