Discuss self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction.

AO1

• self disclosure is…

• social penetration theory

• breadth and depth

• reciprocity

AO3

• Sprecher and Hendrick (2004), self-disclosure is correlated with satisfaction and commitment

  • correlational issues, it may be that self-disclosure is a product of a satisfying relationship, not the cause of one

  • further issues in methodology, subject to social desirability biases

• Duck’s phase model outlines the idea of self-disclosure in the dyadic stage, yet this is associated with r’ship breakdown, not formation, so self-disclosure is not always increasing attraction

• application of understanding can be used to help relationships develop/recover, 57% of gay men and women reported that self-disclosure was their method for maintaining and deepening their relationship

• there are cultural differences, those in China (collectivist) disclose fewer sexual thoughts and feelings than those in the USA (individualist), these different levels of self-disclosure are associated with a satisfying relationship in the respective cultures, therefore the amount of self-disclosure needed for attraction is not universal, may have a larger impact on attraction in some locations over others