RELS 02: Self- disclosure

Explain what is meant by self- disclosure, social penetration

and reciprocity of self- disclosure in relationships(3)

Why are they important? (1)

* Self- disclosure involves revealing feelings, attitudes, beliefs, memories, etc., to partner

* Social penetration involves revealing partner’s inner self

* Reciprocity involves each partner responding by disclosing more in turn

* Build trust, understanding, communication and liking

Explain the nature of breadth and depth in self- disclosure (4)

•Disclosures at the start of a relationship are many (breadth)...

* ...but superficial (little depth)

•As a relationship develops, we reveal more 'high risk' information about ourselves on a wider range of topics.

Outline what has been found about the relationship between self- disclosure and attraction in experiments (4)

* Experiments involve strangers interacting

* One self- discloses

* Self- disclosure increases attraction

* If the other partner reciprocates, the first partner likes them as much

(Various studies you have looked at may fit this pattern)

Outline what has been found about the relationship between self- disclosure and attraction in self- report / correlational studies (4)

* People in existing couples...

* who said that they self- disclosed and that their partners did…* ​

…were more satisfied in and more committed to the relationship​

* i.e., positive correlations between self- disclosure and positive outcomes

(Various studies you have looked at may fit this pattern)

Identify 2 groups of people for whom knowing about these findings would be useful in enhancing communication / relationships (2), and what they could do (2)

(i)People who have struggled to form relationships

(ii)People in relationships that are having problems

(a)Increase amount

(b)Change nature / content