Factors affecting attraction: Self-disclosure

What is self-disclosure

Revealing information about yourself. Romantic partners reveal more info as the relationship develops - this can help strengthen the relationship

What is social penetration theory and who made it

Altman and Taylor - The gradual process of revealing your inner self to someone and the reciprocation from a partner. As they both reveal more info they ‘penetrate’ deeper into each other lives

What are the 2 elements of self-disclosure according to Altman and Taylor

Breadth and depth - as both increase, romantic partners become more committed

What metaphor do researchers use to illustrate the process of self-disclosure

Layers of an onion - at the beginning of a relationship you reveal ‘on the surface’ info so that the relationship is not threatened before it has the chance to get started

What is the last important factor in self-disclosure and who pointed it out

Reis and Shaver - reciprocity of self-disclosure

Once you have shared something your partner should respond in an empathetic way whilst also sharing their own intimate thoughts and feelings - allows for a balance of self-disclosure

What is a strength

Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) studied heterosexual relationships and found strong correlations between satisfaction and self-disclosure - they were more committed to the relationship. In a later study, Sprecher et al. showed that relationships are closer and more satisfying when self-disclosure is reciprocated - increases the validity of the theory

What is a counterpoint to the previous evaluation point

Much self-disclosure research is correlational - it is assumed that greater self-disclosure increases satisfaction. However correlations don’t tell us if this is a valid link to draw - it could be that the more satisfied someone is in a relationship, the more they self-disclose. Or maybe there is a third variable like the amount of time spent together. Reduces the validity of SPT

What is a strength

Research into self-disclosure can help those that want to improve communication in their relationship. If less-skilled partners learn to use self-disclosure then this could help to increase satisfaction and commitment - external validity

What is a limitation

It’s not true for all cultures that increasing breath and depth of SD leads to a more satisfying and intimate relationship. Nu Tang et al. reviewed research into self-disclosure and found that men and women in the US (individualist culture) self-disclose significantly more sexual thoughts and feelings than men and women in China (collectivist culture). Despite lower levels of disclosure in China, satisfaction levels were no different than in the US. Limited explanation because it is based on findings from individualist cultures which are not always generalisable to other cultures