Self-disclosure

Self-disclosure

Revealing personal information about yourself.

Romantic partners reveal more about their true selves as the relationship develops.

The self-disclosures about one’s deepest thoughts and feelings can strengthen a romantic bond when revealed appropriately

Social penetration theory

Developed by Altman and Taylor.

One person penetrates or gains access to another person in an emotional sense through self disclosure. This is a sign of trust

As each person discloses more and more, they penetrate deeper into the other person’s life

Depenentration

Dissatisfied partners self-disclose less as they disengage from the relationship

Breadth and depth of self-disclosure

As these increase, romantic partners become more committed to each other.

We disclose lots at the start but what we reveal is ‘Low risk information’. The breadth is narrow as many topics are off-limits. If we reveal too much too soon it could threaten the relationship.

As the relationship develops, self-disclosure becomes deeper and this removes more layers to reveal our true selves and gives a wider range of topics. We are prepared to reveal intimate and high risk information.

Reis and Shaver

There needs to be a reciprocal element to disclosure for a relationship to develop.

When you disclose something that reveals your true self, hopefully your partner will respond with empathy and share their own intimate thoughts and feelings.

There is a balance of self-disclosure between both partners in a successful romantic relationship which increases feeling of intimacy and deepens the relationship.

S Sprecher and Hendrick

Research support for the predictions derived from social penetration theory

Studied heterosexual dating couples.

Found strong correlations between several measures of satisfaction and self-disclosure for both partners. Men and women who self-disclosed were more satisfied with and more committed to their romantic relationship.

Sprecher showed that relationships are closer and more satisfying when partners take turn to self-disclose.

These findings increase the validity of the theory that reciprocated self-disclosure leads to more satisfying relationships.

W Sprecher and Hendrick

Only tested heterosexual couples. Lacks population validity - Findings cannot be generalised to non-heterosexual couples.

Self-disclosure research is correlational. Greater self-disclosure assumed to create more satisfaction but correlations do not tell us if this conclusion is valid.

Alternative explanations just as likely e.g. they self-disclose more because they are more satisfied.

Self-disclosure and satisfaction could be independent of each other and caused by a third variable e.g. the amount of time spent together.

Suggests that self-disclosure doesn’t directly cause satisfaction, reducing the validity of social penetration theory.

W Tang

Cultural differences

Reviewed research into sexual self-disclosure.

Concluded that men and women in the US (individualist culture) self-dsiclose more sexual thoughts and feeling than those in China (collectivist culture).

Despite lower levels of disclosure in China, the levels of satisfaction were no different from those in the US.

Suggests that it is a limited explanation of romantic relationships because it is based on findings from individualist cultures.

S Real-world application to couples therapy

Couples which experience stress can be taught to use self-disclosure again and reciprocate it.

This can increase feelings of intimacy and can save the relationship.

Suggests that the theory has practical applications to help people improve their relationship satisfaction