2) Facors affecting attriction: Self Disclosure

Self Disclosure

• reveal more as relationship develop

• Revealing personal information

• Revelations strengthens the relationship - if used appropriately

• Playas a vital role beyond the initial attraction, but we must be careful what we disclose (too little/too much) about ourselves

Altman and Taylor (73) - self disclosure

Relationships are a gradual process of revealing your inner self to someone.

Romantic relationships’ involve a reciprocal exchange of information between partners.

This leads to a deeper understanding of each other and is an important mechanism through which a relationship develops.

Onion Metaphor - Altman and Taylor

There are two elements to this idea - breadth and depth.

They use the onion metaphor (layers) to explain this - as they increasingly disclose more and more information romantic partners ‘penetrate’ more deeply into each others lives.

Breadth = Low risk information is revealed early on in a relationship (info we would reveal to anyone) - many topics are off limits early on, we should not reveal too much too soon

Depth = High risk information comes out as the relationship progresses, self-disclosure is deeper, revealing our true selves, intimate, high risk info such as painful memories and experiences, beliefs and secrets.

Self disclosure (SD) is limited at the start: Gradual process of revealing your inner self. A sign of trust, Reciprocation is required. Penetration leads to development of attraction -disclosing more info they ‘penetrate’ more deeply into each other lives. Leading to a greater understanding of each other.

Peeling the onion levels (Breadth - depth)

1. Superficial (Breadth)

2. Intimate

3. personal

4. core (depth)

Layers of onion metaphor

Shallow to deeper

1. Superficial → When first meet reveal superficial shell - hobbies, dislikes, likes. First impression

2. Intimate → Exploratory - personality shows through verbal and non-verbal communication. Become more intimate

3. Personal → Affective, entire personality revealed, develop an understanding of each other, discuss personal topics, can argue and criticise each other

4. Core → Stable, Expose what makes a person who they are, disclosure is open + comfortable. Can predict how they will react

Reciprocity of SD - Reiss and Shaver (1988)

Suggest there has to be a reciprocal element to self disclosure for the relationship to develop. Once you have disclosed something that reveals your true self, hopefully your partner will respond in a rewarding way (understanding, empathy) and will also reveal; their own intimate thoughts and feelings.

There tends to be a balance of self disclosure in successful romantic relationships.

Balance of SD → Feelings of intimacy → relationship deepens

AO3: +Research Support

Sprecher & Hendrick 2004; Heterosexual relationships- found strong correlations between SD and measures of satisfaction and commitment.

Laurenceau et al, 2005; Asked PPs to write a daily diary. Found that SD was linked to higher levels of intimacy in long term married couples.

These findings increase the validity of SD leading to more successful relationships

AO3: -Issues with the research

Much self-disclosure research is correlational.

Much of the research also fails to distinguish companionship from romantic relationships. making it difficult to assess the role of SD solely in romantic relationships.

Research also fails to recognise different type of romantic relationships e.g. passionate, intimate, SD may only make people more attractive in certain type of relationship.

This does not allow us to draw a valid conclusion that greater self-disclosure leads to more satisfaction in all romantic relationships

AO3: +RWA

Research into SD can help people who want to improve communication between partners.

Romantic partners probably use SD deliberately and skilfully to strengthen their bond

Hass and Stafford, 1998: 57% of gay men and women said that open and honest SD was the main way the maintained their relationships

This finding demonstrates the value of psychological insight (in other words, if people understand how important SD is, they may be more likely to do it!).

AO3: -Individual differences

Research has indicated differences in SD based on gender, personality and age

Dindia and Allen 1992 found women disclose more then men, though men are more likely to reveal personal information to people they do not know.

The personality of both discloser and recipient may be significant too - e.g. some recipients may see SD as a positive thing (having been carefully selected to receive such info) but this may not be the case or all as some may see it as a case of ‘too close, too soon’.

AO3: -Cultural differences

The prediction that increasing SD leads to a more satisfying and intimate romantic relationship is not true for all cultures

It depends on the type of SD

Tang et al (2013) → reviewed literature on sexual SD concluding men and women in the USA SD significantly more than men and women in China.

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

SD is therefore a limited explanation which is not generalisable beyond Western Cultures.