CMN 120V Exam 1 (pt. 3)

Self-description

info about self that is obvious to others (low-risk information)

Self-disclosure

any statement that reveals private, previously unknown info to another (intentional and high-risk) WE HAVE TO DISCLOSE INFO OURSELVES

Breadth

number of topics we are willing to disclose

Depth

level of intimacy (e.g., little depth: fav color and more depth: cancer diagnosis)

Evaluative

reveals a judgement (feelings/emotions)

Descriptive

facts

Functions of self-disclosure

1. relational escalation (relationship development)

2. catharsis (makes us feel better)

3. seek clarification (reveal help from others)

4. self-awareness (learn about ourselves, what we are willing to share)

Targets of Self-Disclosure

friends, family/parents, strangers; most with strangers and friends and least with acquaintances.

Social Penetration Theory (SPT)

explains how partners move from superficial levels to greater intimacy

Orientation Stage (SPT)

only share trivial info (where you're from, age, occupation, etc.)

Exploratory Affective Exchange stage (SPT)

reveal a bit more but nothing too risky (testing the waters)

Affective Exchange Stage (SPT)

frequently self-disclosing, a little more risky

Stable Exchange Stage (SPT)

deepest level. all topics are safe because they already know everything. these relationships stand the test of time.

Guttman Progression

as we move through each stage, breadth and depth should increase. all previous levels of breadth and depth are acceptable in LATER levels.

Development Trajectories and Satisfaction (study)

-surveyed people who has just broken up on the following:

- cognitive (thought): when did you first have these thoughts of spending your life together

- affective (feeling): when did these feelings of emotional connection first occur

- behavior (action): when did you first say "I love you" or go on vacation together longer than 3 days

**study found that people did the action (ex: saying "I love you") before actually thinking about their feelings on the relationship

Differences between friendship and love

1. less complex feelings

2. less strict standards and obligations

3. lack of overt expressions of positive emotion

**easier to dissolve friendship than romantic relationship

Similarities between friendship and love

1. respect

2. trust

3. responsiveness

4. capitalization (enhance our joy)

5. social support (emotional, informational, instrumental)

Prosocial Maintenance Behaviors

Positive behaviors, used over the course of a relationship, that promote closeness, trust, and liking

Antisocial Maintenance Behaviors

avoidance, no flirting, talk about others, jealousy induction, spying, infidelity, allowing control, destructive conflict

strategic maintenance behaviors

- intentionally designed to maintain a relationship

- doing something special for your partner on his/her birthday

- doing something special for your partner to apologize after a fight

Routine maintenance behaviors

Everyday behaviors that help people preserve their bonds with one another (the little things). Seen as more important than strategic behaviors.

3 critical maintenance behaviors in friendship

openness, supportiveness, and positivity

true friends FWB

close friends who add sex to their friendship but don't consider themselves a couple even though they care about each other as friends

network opportunism FWB

partners within the same social network who are not particularly close but who serve as a sexual backup if neither of them is with someone else

Just Sex FWB

sexual partners whose interaction revolves almost exclusively around planning and having sex without any real emotional connection

Transition out (FWB)

ex to sex, previously in a romantic relationship

Intentional transition in (FWB)

sex with the intention of becoming romantic

unintentional transition in (FWB)

sex that becomes more romantic unintentionally

Failed transition (FWB)

sex that failed to become something more

Social Exchange Theory (SET)

a theory based on the assumption that people consciously and deliberately weigh the costs and rewards associated with a relationship or interaction

Interdependence theory

A version of social exchange theory that focuses on the rules predicting how partners will behave toward each other, and how they evaluate the outcomes of their actions.

Comparison Level (CL)

considering what you SHOULD be getting versus what you are actually getting

Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt)

considering what you COULD get from a different partner versus what you are actually getting

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

a theory suggesting that people are motivated to reduce their uncertainty about others

Cognitive Uncertainty

occurs when we do not know what the beliefs and attitudes of the other person are

Behavioral Uncertainty

occurs when we do not know how the other person will behave in a particular situation

motivation to reduce uncertainty

strongest when the other person has the capacity to provide rewards or deliver punishments that affect us, their behavior deviates from the norm, or we anticipate future interaction with the person

passive strategy for uncertainty reduction

information gathering approach where one observes others without direct interaction

Reactivity search

passive strategy where one observes how a person reacts to environmental stimuli or situations to gain information about them

Disinhibition search

passive strategy where one observes a person's behavior when they are less inhibited or in more relaxed social situations

active strategy for uncertainty reduction

information gathering approach where one directly seeks information without the target person knowing they are being investigated (asking others, environmental structuring)

interactive strategy for uncertainty reduction

information gathering approach where one directly engages with the target person through conversation and mutual exchange (interrogation or self-disclosure)