self-disclosure ao3

self-disclosure: research support

• P; one strength of self-disclosure is research support for social penetration theory.

• E: for example, Sprecher and Hendrick studied heterosexual dating anf found strong correlations between measures of satisfaction and self-disclosure in both partners, meaning they were more committed and satisfied to their relationships.

• E: furthermore, Specher et al later showed that relationships are more satisfying when partners take turns to disclose.

• L: this shows that reciprocated self-disclosure leads to more satisfying relationships, increasing the validity in social penetration theory.

self-disclosure: research support (counterpoint)

• P: however a correlation does not tell us if self-disclosure creating more satisfaction a valid conclusion to draw.

• E: to explain, alternative explanations are more likely e.g. the more satisfied partners are the more they self-disclose or that self-disclosure and satisfaction is independent of each both, both caused by a third variable.

• L: therefore self-disclosure may not cause satisfaction directly, reducing validity of social penetration and self-disclosure.

self-disclosure: real-world application

• P: one strength of self-disclosure is that research can help people want to improve communication in their relationships.

• E: for example, Stafford found that 57% of homosexual men and women said that open and honest self-disclosure was the main way they maintained and deepened relationships.

• E: to explain, if less-skilled partners learn to use self-disclosure, it could bring several benefits to their relationships in terms of satisfaction and commitment.

• L: this shows psychological insights can be valuable in helping people who are having trouble with their relationships.

self-disclosure: cultural differences

• P: one limitation of self-disclosure is that increasing breadth and depth does not lead to more satisfying and intimate relationships.

• E: for example, Tang et al. reveiwed research into sexual self-disclosure, concluding men and women in the US (individualistic culture) significantly self-disclosured more sexual thoughts and feelings than men and women in China (collectivist culture).

• E: to explain, despite lower levels of disclosure in China, levels of satisfaction remained the same for both countries.

• L: this shows self-disclosure is a limited explanation of romantic relationships as it is based on western findings, making it not generalisable to other cultures.