social penetration theory, social exchange theory, & communication privacy management theory

understanding relationships

• mutual influence

• repeated frequencies

• unique interactional patterns

• need fufillment

• emotional attachment

• irreplacement

social penetration theory can be compared to an ___ metaphor

onion

social penetration theory stage #1

superficial information is exchanged

social penetration theory stage #2

self-disclosure is reciprocal

social penetration theory stage #3

penetration is fast at the beginning, slows with each layer

social penetration theory stage #4

depenetration is the gradual process of layer-by-layer withdrawal

2 characteristics of self-disclosure

depth and breadth

depth of penetration

degree of intimacy

breadth

different topics/subjects disclosed (range)

idiosyncratic (SPT)

up to the individual on what they think is deep self-disclosure

valence (SPT)

things can be positively or negatively valenced, feeling we’re getting from self-disclosure

veracity (SPT)

is this true self-disclosure

social exchange theory

how people form relationships by weighing costs and benefits

minimax principle

we want to maximize benefits, minimize costs

comparison level

what we imagine a good relationship can be by compariosn to relationships we know

comparison level of alternatives

the best outcome available in other relationships; a standard for relational stability

communication privacy management theory

how people make choices about their private information through communication with others

cpmt ownership

we consider ourselves as owners of private information and who gets it

factors that affect personal privacy rules

• cultural criteria

• gender criteria

• motivational criteria

• contextual criteria

• risk-benefit ratio

privacy boundaries

divisions between private information and public information

co-owners

might make someone a co-owner for private info

negotiation of privacy rules

expecting co-owners to follow the rules but they may not be governed by some criteria we are

boundary permeability

how thick is boundary around private info

boundary turbulence

disruptions/conflicts that arise when people try to organize management of private info