Sharing Personal Information Chapter 8

Definition of Self-Disclosure: Opening Up Personal information about the self that is shared voluntarily Others would have trouble finding out this information if you hadn’t told them Self-disclosures are verbal behaviors Chapter 8

Definition of Self-Disclosure: Opening Up Intentionality and choice Trust is necessary for self-disclosure Chapter 8

Definition of Self-Disclosure: Opening Up Private information and risk Public information - facts we present to others that are socially approved Private information – assessments that we make about ourselves Self-disclosure can be risky Chapter 8

Self-Disclosure as a Subjective Process History - information that sounds personal but is relatively easy for a speaker to tell Story - true and authentic disclosure when the teller feels the risk in telling the information Chapter 8

Factors Affecting Disclosures Individual differences Chapter 8

Factors Affecting Disclosures Relational issues 3 reveal patterns of self-disclosure Gradual increase, stabilize, gradual decrease Slow build up and then a spike before leveling off Clicking shows a spike in self-disclosures at the beginning, followed by a gradual decrease Chapter 8

Factors Affecting Disclosures Culture Gender and sex Chapter 8

Principles of Self-Disclosure We disclose a great deal in few interactions Self-disclosures occur between two people in a close relationship Chapter 8

Principles of Self-Disclosure Self-disclosures are reciprocal Principle of reciprocity Dyadic effect Self-disclosures occur over time Chapter 8

Explaining Self-Disclosure Dialectics theory explains relational life as a push-pull of tensions resulting from the desire for polar opposites Dialectics tries to integrate these opposing positions Chapter 8

Explaining Self-Disclosure Social penetration model says that people have many layers Breadth refers to the number of different topic areas discussed Depth refers to the amount of detail we provide about a specific topic Chapter 8

Explaining Self-Disclosure Johari window is a pictorial representation of yourself in the communication process Chapter 8

Johari Window

Johari Window Open self – information about you known to both you and the other Hidden self – information about you than only you know about yourself Chapter 8

Johari Window Blind self – information that only the other person knows about you Unknown self – information that neither you or the other person knows about you Chapter 8

Reasons to Self-Disclose Individual reasons Achieve catharsis and maintain psychological health and control Maintain physical health Attain self-awareness Chapter 8

Reasons to Self-Disclose Relational reasons Aid in relational development Maintain /enhance a relationship Satisfy expectations for intimacy Achieve relational escalation Chapter 8

Reasons Not to Self-Disclose To avoid hurt and rejection To avoid conflict, protect a relationship, or both To keep one’s image intact, maintain individuality, or both To reduce or forget about stress Chapter 8

Choices for Effective Disclosing Use I-statements Owning your own thoughts and feelings “I think,” I feel,” “I believe.” Be honest Chapter 8

Choices for Effective Disclosing Be consistent with your verbal and nonverbal communication Focus your nonverbal communication Be sure your content is relevant Be sure your topic is relevant Chapter 8

Choices for Effective Disclosing Estimate the risks and benefits Predict how your partner will respond Be sure the amount and type of disclosures are appropriate Estimate the effect of the disclosure on your relationship Chapter 8