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Exploring Self-Disclosure in Relationships

May 1, 2025

6.4 Self-Disclosure and Interpersonal Communication

Learning Objectives

  1. Define Self-Disclosure: Purposeful sharing of personal information to another person.
  2. Connection of Theories: Explore how social penetration theory, social comparison theory, and self-disclosure interrelate.
  3. Process of Self-Disclosure: Decision-making regarding what, where, when, and how to disclose.
  4. Effects on Relationships: Understanding how disclosure affects relational dynamics.

Understanding Self-Disclosure

  • Definition: Purposeful sharing of personal information, distinct from unintentional or superficial communication.
  • Importance: Can build relationships or lead to negative consequences if mishandled.

Theories of Self-Disclosure

Social Penetration Theory

  • Concept: Relationships develop through reciprocal self-disclosure that varies in depth and breadth.
  • Onion Analogy: Gradual peeling back of layers, revealing more personal information over time.
  • Dialectics: Balancing openness with privacy (e.g., openness vs. closedness).

Social Comparison Theory

  • Concept: Self-evaluation based on comparison with others.
  • Purpose: Understanding personal standing and self-validation through disclosures.

Johari Window

  • Structure: Four panes representing openness, hidden, blind, and unknown aspects.
  • Relational Context: Openness varies; close relationships have more open information.

Self-Disclosure in Social Media

  • Privacy Concerns: Disclosures on platforms like Facebook and Twitter raise privacy issues.
  • Generational Differences: Digital natives may view privacy differently.
  • Responsible Usage: Importance of managing privacy and consequences of public disclosures.

The Process of Self-Disclosure

Categories of Disclosure

  • Observations: Sharing experiences.
  • Thoughts: Including judgments about experiences.
  • Feelings: Expressing emotions.
  • Needs: Communicating desires or wants.

Decision Factors

  • Self-Focused: Relief, support, or fear of rejection.
  • Other-Focused: Responsibility to inform or potential risk of information being mishandled.
  • Interpersonal: Maintaining trust and intimacy.
  • Situational: Contextual factors such as environment and timing.

Timing and Method

  • Timing: Early, mid, or late in conversations affects outcomes.
  • Channel: Face-to-face vs. mediated communication (e.g., emails, texts).

Effects of Disclosure on Relationships

Process and Interpretation

  • Circular Process: Involves discloser, receiver reaction, and subsequent interpretation.
  • Attributions: Dispositional, situational, and interpersonal causes for disclosure.

Positive Outcomes

  • Relational Intimacy: Enhanced closeness and self-worth.
  • Health Benefits: Reduced stress and improved physical health.

Risks and Responsibilities

  • Secret Burden: Managing private information responsibly; potential for spreading.

Key Takeaways

  • Self-Disclosure Process: Involves sharing personal information and learning about others.
  • Social Penetration Theory: Increase in breadth and depth of disclosure enhances relationships.
  • Decisional Variations: Factors influencing what, when, where, and how to disclose.
  • Receiver's Role: Interpretation and response influence relational outcomes.

Exercises

  1. Reflect on personal experiences with excessive self-disclosure and potential changes.
  2. Consider negative outcomes from self-disclosure and possible improvements.
  3. Discuss conditions under which sharing disclosed information is appropriate or not.

References

  • Works by Derlega, Greene, Hargie, Jiang, Jourard, Kornblum, Luft, Nealy, Stefanone & Lakaff.