Factors Affecting Attraction: Self-Disclosure
- Created by: 221BTimelord
- Created on: 13-01-17 09:03
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- Factors Affecting Attraction: Self-Disclosure
- DEFINITION: Revealing personal information, the more revealed the developed the relationship.
- Social Penetration Theory
- Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor (1973)
- Process of revealing your inner self, such as deep thoughts and feelings.
- Involves reciprocal exchange between partners.
- Revealing intimate information shows level of trust
- For relationship to develop, both partners must self-disclose
- More disclosed = greater understanding of each other is gained.
- 'Penetrate' into each other's lives.
- Self-disclosure = relationship reached a stage where it is welcomed, and reciprocated.
- Breadth and Depth of Self-Disclosure
- Altman and Taylor: self-disclosure has two elements - breadth and depth.
- As depth and breadth increases, partners become more committed to each other.
- Start of relationship = superficial, 'on the surface', information.
- Low risk information we'd share with anyone.
- Start of relationship = narrow breadth of self-disclosure, due to 'off-limits' topics
- Revealing too much too soon may threaten a relationship.
- As relationship develops, self-disclosure becomes deeper, more is revealed.
- Eventually reveal intimate and high-risk information - painful memories, experiences, strong beliefs, and secrets.
- Reciprocity of Self-Disclosure
- Harry Reis and Phillip Shaver (1988)
- For a relationship to develop, increasing in depth and breadth, there needs to be reciprocal element to self-disclosure.
- Once an individual has disclosed, the partner should respond with understanding and empathy - including their own intimate thoughts.
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