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