Chap 9

Decrease in Relational Satisfaction

A: "I need to tell you something. I really don't like it when you want to cuddle so much." B: "But I want to be close to you. . . "

Clichés

Are the ritualized, stock responses to social situations - virtually the opposite of self-disclosure E.x. How are you doing? Fine

Self-Validation

Disclosing information with the hope of obtaining the listener's approval

Catharsis

Getting something off your chest

Reciprocity

Self-disclosure usually begets another. There is no guarantee that disclosure will be reciprocal

Facts

Not all facts qualify as disclosure. Have to be intentional, significant

Loss of Influence

Once you confess a secret weakness, your control over how the other person views you can be diminished

Social Influence

Revealing personal information may increase your control over the other person and sometimes over the situation. The strongest factor in why we disclose seems to be how well we know the other person With strangers, reciprocity becomes the most common reason for disclosing

Identity Management

Sometimes we reveal personal information to make ourselves more attractive

Self-Disclosure

The process of deliberately revealing information about oneself that is significant and would not normally be known by others Deliberate, Significant, Not known by others

Relationship Maintenance and Enhancement

There is a strong relationship between the quality of self-disclosure and marital satisfaction

Self-Clarification

Used to clarify your beliefs, opinions, thoughts. Can occur with hairdressers, bartenders or close friends

Opinion

reveal more about a person than facts alone