Exam (elaborations)
Describe research into self disclosure 10 marker
A* graded 10 marker on Self- Disclosure
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
Content preview
Describe research into self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction in romantic relationships[10 marks]
Self- disclosure refers to the extent to which a person reveals thoughts, feelings and behaviours
which they would usually keep private to a potential. This therefore increases feelings of intimacy.
One strength of self-disclosure is the fact that many predictions of self-disclosure derived from social
penetration theory have been supported by research. Sprecher and Hendrick studied heterosexual
dating couples, and finding showed a strong correlation between several measures of satisfaction
and self-disclosure for both partners; men and women who used self-disclosure were more
committed and satisfied with their romantic relationship. Furthermore, Sprecher later showed that
relationships are closer and more satisfying when partners take turns to self-disclose, thus the
disclosure is reciprocated. Therefore, this increases validity of the theory that reciprocated self-
disclosure leads to more satisfying relationships. However, it is usually assumed that greater self-
disclosure creates more satisfaction but a correlation does not tell us if this is a valid conclusion. For
example, some may prefer to have a partner who is less self-disclosed or that they may open up
later, after securing a satisfying relationship, e.g. spending time together- the more time spent
together, the stronger the bond. Therefore, self- disclosures may not cause direct satisfaction, thus
reducing the validity of social penetration theory of self- disclosure.
One limitation is that it’s not true for all cultures that increasing depth and breadth of self-
disclosures lead to a more satisfying and intimate romantic relationship. Nu Tang et al. reviewed into
disclosures related to feelings about specific sexual practices. It was found that men and women in
the US, which is an individualist culture, self- disclose significantly more sexual thoughts and feelings
than those in China, which is a collectivist culture. However, despite the lower levels of disclosure in
China, the levels of satisfaction were no different from those in the US. Therefore, self-disclosure
theory is a limited explanation of romantic relationships because it’s based on findings from
individualist cultures which are not necessarily generalizable to other cultures.
Lastly, another strength is that research into self- disclosure can help people who want to improve
communication in their relationships. Romantic partners sometimes use self- disclosure deliberately
to increase intimacy and strengthen their bond. Haas and Stafford found that 57% of homosexual
men and women said that open and honest disclosure was the main way they maintained and
deepened their relationships. If less- skilled partners learn to use self- disclosure then this could
bring several benefits to their relationships in terms of deepening satisfaction and commitment. This
therefore shows that psychological insights can be valuable in helping people who are having
problems in their relationships.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller shimsham. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £5.09. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
82871 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now