SPT

what is spt?

• developed by Irwin Altman and Dalmas taylor

• process of developing deeper intimacy with another person through mutual self disclosure and other forms of vulnerability

• uses onion model

outer layer of onion model

held in common with many others (biographical data, preferences in clothes/food/music)

middle layer of onion model

More private attitudes, opinions, and feelings that you only share with friends and family. 

inner core of onion model

made of values, self-concept, unresolved conflicts, deeply felt emotions

self-disclosure

voluntary sharing of personal history, preferences, attitudes, feelings, values, secrets, etc. with another person

permanent guard

limits the closeness 2 people can achieve

depth of penetration

degree of disclosure in a specific area of an individual’s life

breadth of penetration

range of areas in individual’s life over which disclosure takes place

peripheral items

exchanged more frequently and sooner than private info

law of reciprocity

a paced and orderly process in which openness in one person leads to openness in the other

depenetration

a gradual process of layer-by-layer withdrawal

social exchange

relationship behavior and status regulated by parties’ evaluations of perceived rewards and costs of interaction with each other

outcome in spt

perceived rewards minus the costs of interpersonal interaction

rewards

What we get out of the relationship (companionship, support, fun, validation).

costs

What we invest (time, emotional energy, vulnerability, risk of rejection)

minimax principle

people seek to maximize benefits and minimize costs

comparison level (CL)

• threshold above which an interpersonal outcome seems attractive

• Your personal standard for what you think you deserve in a relationship, based on your past experiences. If your Outcome > CL, you are satisfied

Comparison Level of Alternatives (CLalt)

best outcome available in other relationships

ethical egoism

belief that individuals should live their lives so as to maximize their own pleasure and minimize their pain

territoriality

tendency to claim a physical location or object as our own

orientation stage

engage in small talk

exploratory affective stage

attitudes and feelings begin to be expressed on moderate topics such as religion and politics

affective stage

private and personal matters begin to be shared and criticisms and arguments sometimes arise

stable stage

individuals are able to predict how another will act and personal things continue to be shared

depenetration

the relationship begins to break down and cost exceed the benfits