This study investigated the nature of self-disclosure in developing relationships. After completing various tasks on three separate occasions, 88 students completed a measure of self-disclosure. Analysis indicated that amount of disclosure increased consistently, while depth of disclosure consistently decreased across time. The dimensions of honesty and intent of disclosure fluctuated across time, while positiveness of disclosure did not change. Discussion concerned suggestions for research.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AltmanI.TaylorD. A. (1973) Social penetration: The development of interpersonal relationships. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
2.
BergerC. R.CalabreseR. J. (1975) Some explorations in initial interaction and beyond: Toward a developmental theory of interpersonal communication. Human Communication Research, 1, 99–112.
3.
ClineR. J. (1982) Revealing and relating: A review of self-disclosure theory and research. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association convention, Boston, MA.
4.
CohenJ.CohenP. (1975) Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
5.
CozbyP. (1973) Self-disclosure: A literature review. Psychological Bulletin, 79, 73–91.
6.
DerlegaV.ChaikinA. L. (1977) Privacy and self-disclosure in social relationships. Journal of Social Issues, 33, 102–115.
7.
DuckS. (1988) Relating to others. London, Eng.: Open Univer. Press.
8.
GilbertS. J. (1976) Empirical and theoretical extensions of self-disclosure. In MillerG. R. (Ed.), Explorations in interpersonal communication. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Pp. 197–216.
9.
JourardS. M.LasakowP. (1959) Some factors in self-disclosure. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 58, 91–98.
10.
KnappM. L. (1978) Social intercourse: From greeting to goodbye. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
11.
RichmondV. P. (1978) The relationship between trait and state communication apprehension and interpersonal perceptions during acquaintance stages. Human Communication Research, 4, 338–349.
12.
SprecherS. (1987) The effects of self-disclosure given and received on affection for an intimate partner and stability of the relationship. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 4, 115–128.
13.
TardyC. H.HosmanL. A.BradacJ. J. (1981) Disclosing self to friends and family: A re-examination of initial questions. Communication Quarterly, 29, 263–268.
14.
WheelessL. R. (1976) Self-disclosure and interpersonal solidarity: Measurement, validation, and relationships. Human Communication Research, 3, 47–61.
15.
WheelessL. R. (1978) A follow-up study of the relationships among trust, disclosure, and interpersonal solidarity. Human Communication Research, 4, 143–157.
16.
WheelessL. R.WheelessV. E.BausR. (1984) Sexual communication, communication satisfaction, and solidarity in the developmental stages of intimate relationships. Western Journal of Speech Communication, 48, 217–230.
17.
WilmotW. W. (1987) Dyadic communication. New York: Random House.
