Social Penetration Theory SPT Laws Theory according to Social Scientist Development of Interpersonal Relationships Self Disclosure 1 History a Altman Taylor 1973 i Social Penetration The development of interpersonal relationships 2 Goals 3 Concepts a To explain how relational closeness develops i How do relationships become intimate a Social Penetration Process of relational bonding whereby people move from superficial communication to more intimate communication i This is a process that develops over time b Self Disclosure Purposeful process of revealing information about yourself to others i Deliberate communication at a deeper level c Reciprocity of Self Disclosure Getting to know one another i Both parties trade intimate information of similarity one is not self disclosing more than the other d Intimacy Intellectual and emotional closeness 4 Assumptions a Relationships i Progress from non intimate to intimate ii Develop systematically and predictably iii Include depenetration and dissolution 1 Can go in reverse start as intimate and become non intimate 2 Happens when people break up get in fights etc iv Develop Through Self Disclosure 1 Main focus of theory relationships cannot become intimate if people do not feel comfortable disclosing intimate details about themselves and sharing information with people that they may not share with every one 2 Self disclosure is like an onion As we become more intimate we move towards the center of the onion Starts with outermost layer and goes to center a Outermost Layer Biographical data like race sex etc b Superficial Areas Likes dislikes c Goals Aspirations d Morals values importance Religion etc e Deeply held fears and fantasies f Center of Onion Concepts of self full self disclosure 3 Breadth and Depth of Self Disclosure a Breadth Number of topics you discuss b Depth Degree of intimacy of discussion 1 Taking a risk by telling someone but you trust that they will still i Non intimate information disclosed first ii Self disclosure leads to vulnerability accept you iii SD is reciprocal in early stages iv SD begins fast but tapers off 1 SD Liking dump truck effect a Curvy Linear Effect Describes relationship between amount of self disclosure and magnitude of liking 2 Stranger on the train syndrome 5 Stages of Social Penetration Process a Orientation Reveal bits of information when you first meet b Exploratory Affective Exchange Reveal parts of your personality traits still a superficial level of c Affective Exchange Spontaneous communication may feel comfortable criticizing someone d Stable Exchange Efficient Communication have the ability to predict what your partner will say next a Positives Parsimonious Valid Heuristic b Negatives Too simple limited scope relationship development may not be linear too much emphasis communication 6 Evaluation on self disclosure
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