Factors Affecting Attraction: Self-Disclosure
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 9.1.1
Factors Affecting Attraction: Self-Disclosure
Self-disclosure refers to the details people reveal about themselves to a partner. As breadth and depth increase, romantic partners become more committed to each other.
Explanation of self-disclosure
- People often don’t disclose too much about themselves early on in a new relationship.
- But sharing things about ourselves helps people know each other better and helps to strengthen relationships.
Altman and Taylor (1973)
- Self-disclosure is a major concept within Altman and Taylor’s (1973) social penetration theory (SPT).
- They studied the development of interpersonal relationships and the gradual process of revealing our inner-self to another person.
Altman and Taylor (1973) cont.
- They argued that trust between two intimate partners is created through the reciprocal exchange of information.
- By increasing these disclosures, romantic partners penetrate more deeply into each other’s lives. In the process, they gain a greater understanding of each other.
Elements of Self-Disclosure: Depth and Breadth
According to Altman and Taylor (1973), self-disclosure has two elements: breadth and depth.
Depth
- The metaphor of a multi-layered onion is often used to illustrate the idea of depth in self-disclosure.
- We disclose a lot about ourselves at the start of a relationship, but details are superficial (only on the surface, like the outer layer of an onion).
Depth cont.
- These are the kinds of details we might disclose to friends or co-workers.
- Only as the relationship matures do we begin to disclose deeper details about ourselves.
Breadth
- Self-disclosure can be restricted because we see many topics as being off limits in the early stages of a relationship.
- People don’t want to reveal too much too soon for fear of ruining the relationship.
- This means their breadth of topics is reduced in the early stages of a relationship.
Elements of Self-Disclosure: Self-Reciprocity
Another key element of self-disclosure is reciprocity. That is, once you have disclosed something to your partner, they will disclose something to you.
Reis and Shaver (1988)
- Reis and Shaver (1988) view reciprocity as essential for any romantic relationship to develop.
- As we reveal something about our true self, our partner will respond. This increases levels of understanding, empathy and other intimate thoughts and feelings.
- This will also increase intimacy and deepen the relationship.
Test yourself on Factors Affecting Attraction: Self-Disclosure
Altman and Taylor (1973) came up with which concept?
Which of the following statements about self-disclosure are true?
Who concluded that self-disclosure has two elements?
What is NOT a key element of self-disclosure?
What did Reis and Shaver (1988) view as essential for any romantic relationship to develop?