Factors affecting attraction: Self-disclosure

What is self-disclosure in a relationship?

Self-disclosure refers to the process of revealing personal information about oneself, such as likes, dislikes, hopes, and fears, to a partner. It fosters intimacy and understanding.

How does self-disclosure contribute to romantic relationships?

It plays a vital role in developing and deepening relationships, especially beyond initial attraction, by helping partners understand each other better.

What is the basic idea behind social penetration theory?

Social penetration theory, proposed by Altman and Taylor (1973), suggests that relationships develop through the gradual process of revealing personal information, with reciprocal self-disclosure fostering intimacy.

What does reciprocal self-disclosure mean in relationships?

It means that as one partner reveals personal information, the other partner is expected to reciprocate with their own disclosures, creating a deeper connection.

What are the two elements of self-disclosure in social penetration theory?

The two elements are breadth (the range of topics discussed) and depth (the level of intimacy or sensitivity of the information revealed).

How does self-disclosure progress in a relationship?

Initially, self-disclosure is broad but shallow (low-risk information). As the relationship develops, it becomes more specific and deeper (intimate, high-risk information).

What metaphor is used to describe self-disclosure in social penetration theory?

Altman and Taylor use the metaphor of an onion, where the outer layers represent superficial information, and deeper layers represent more intimate, personal disclosures.

What is depenetration?

Depenetration refers to the process of self-disclosure decreasing as partners become dissatisfied and gradually disengage from the relationship.

Why is reciprocity important in self-disclosure?

Reciprocity ensures that self-disclosure is balanced between partners, fostering empathy and increasing intimacy, which deepens the relationship.

What could happen if self-disclosure occurs too quickly in a relationship?

If too much is revealed too soon, it may overwhelm the partner or threaten the relationship, leading to discomfort or a premature end to the relationship.

What is the AO3 (strengths) of self-disclosure and Social penetration theory

Research Support

• Point: One strength of social penetration theory is that research has supported several of its predictions about self-disclosure.

• Evidence: Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) found strong correlations between self-disclosure and relationship satisfaction in heterosexual couples.

• Explanation: Couples who self-disclosed and believed their partners did the same were more satisfied and committed to their relationships.

• Elaboration: Sprecher et al. (2013) later showed that reciprocated self-disclosure leads to closer and more satisfying relationships.

• Link: These findings support the theory that reciprocal self-disclosure contributes to relationship satisfaction.

Real-World Application

• Point: Another strength is that research into self-disclosure can be applied to improving communication in relationships.

• Evidence: Haas and Stafford (1998) found that 57% of homosexual couples used self-disclosure to maintain and deepen their relationships.

• Explanation: Self-disclosure was key to strengthening intimacy and commitment in these relationships.

• Elaboration: Teaching less-skilled partners to use self-disclosure can lead to benefits, such as deeper satisfaction and commitment.

• Link: This demonstrates the practical value of psychological research in improving communication within relationships.

What is the AO3 (limitations) of Self-disclosure and Social penetration theory?

Counterpoint to research support for Social penetration theory

• Point: However, much of the research on self-disclosure, including Sprecher and Hendrick’s study, is correlational.

• Evidence: A correlation between self-disclosure and satisfaction doesn’t prove a causal relationship.

• Explanation: It’s possible that greater satisfaction leads to more self-disclosure or that both are influenced by a third variable, like time spent together.

• Elaboration: This means that self-disclosure might not directly cause satisfaction, challenging the validity of the theory.

• Link: The correlational nature of this research reduces the theory’s credibility as a causal explanation for relationship satisfaction.

Cultural Differences

• Point: A limitation of social penetration theory is that it does not account for cultural differences in self-disclosure.

• Evidence: Nu Tang et al. (2013) found that American participants (individualist culture) self-disclosed more sexually than Chinese participants (collectivist culture).

• Explanation: Despite the lower levels of self-disclosure in China, satisfaction levels were no different from those in the US.

• Elaboration: This challenges the universality of the theory, as it may not apply to collectivist cultures.

• Link: Therefore, self-disclosure theory has limited applicability and may not be generalisable to all cultures.