Self-Disclosure
Your most effective interpersonal
communication tool
• Process in which one person tells another something
about themselves.
• Vehicle to let others know what’s going on inside you
• Primary source of self-satisfaction in long-term
personal relationships.
• In society today, many people hide what they think
and feel, so SD becomes a rare and valued gift
Johari Window
Why should we disclose?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Knowledge of Self
Ability to Cope
Comm Effectiveness
meaningful relationships
Physiological health.
DANGERS : RISK !!!!
Tolerance of Vulnerability
High need to
be open
High amount
of trust
Very tolerant
of
Vulnerability
Low need to
be open
Judgment
Required
Reveal
Low amount
of trust
Judgment
Required
Intolerant of
Vulnerability
Conceal
Factors that influence
Self Disclosure
• Dyadic Effect - reciprocal process
• Culture - U.S., Great Britain, Germany,
Japan, Puerto Rico, Middle East
• Audience Size -more likely to disclose in
dyads/small groups
• Topic -low level / high level.
• Valence + or -
Factors that influence
Self Disclosure
• Gender (large area of research on 90’s)
• Women- relationships, feelings, fears,
dissatisfaction w/ relationships.
• Men - more taboo topics,
levels of SD don’t change