Casual Impact of Self -Disclosure on Liking

Casual impact of Self -Disclosure on Liking

Aurora Fenili

University of Connecticut

Casual impact of Self -Disclosure on Liking

INTRODUCTION

This literature review analyzes weather self-disclosure plays a central role in the development and maintenance of relationships. One way that researchers have explored these processes is by studying the links between self-disclosure and liking (Collins & Miller, 1994.)

Self-disclosures, is when one or more people are engaging on a conversation and reveal personal information about oneself (Collins & Miller, 1994.) Self-Disclosure has in fact been viewed as central to the development of close relationships (Altman & Taylor, 1973.) Although its affect can vary based on the degree of self-disclosure. Which is evaluated along the dimensions of depth and breadth, which refer to quality and quantity (Collins & Miller, 1994.) We will analyze situations where self-disclosure has been tested and proved to lead to liking, some including: People who engage in intimate disclosures tend to be liked more than people who disclose at lower levels, people disclose more to those whom they initially like, people like others as a result of having disclosed to them. (Collins & Miller, 1994) Moreover, we will go over the different types of studies conducted to analyze the phenomena. Finally, two of the prevailing theories presenting why the phenomena occurs will be presented: The theory of social penetration, and the theory of information-processing models of attraction. Thus, the following literature review will present evidence and theories on why self-disclosure plays a central role in causing people to like one another. Therefore, demonstrating the connection between Self-Disclosure and Liking.    

LITERATURE REVIEW

When does Self-Disclosure lead to Liking

In what cases has Self-Disclosure proved to lead to liking? According to Collins and Miller’s research, they tested and proved three different situations where disclosure leads to liking. Significant disclosure-liking relations were found for the following: People who engage in intimate disclosures tend to be liked more than people who disclose at lower levels, people disclose more to those whom they initially like, people like others as a result of having disclosed to them (Collins & Miller, 1994.) Additionally, according to the research led by Sprecher, Treger, and Wondra, Self -Disclosure leads to liking when it associates with greater degrees of perceived similarity (Sprecher, S., Treger, S., & Wondra, J. D., 2013.) But there are times when Self-Disclosure may have negative results. Altman and Taylor suggested that disclosing personal information too early in a relationship may be inappropriate (Collins & Miller, 1994.) Moreover, disclosure is seen as more appropriate then if a man were to disclose, because of the gender roles and expectations (Collins & Miller, 1994.) Additionally, people that self-disclosing are perceived more favorably if they seem to be selective who they disclose to (Kleinke, 1979).

Research Studies

The main studies done in the topic of self-disclosure causing liking can be grouped into four categories (Collins & Miller, 1994.) The first studies were relationship surveys, were people currently in a relationship would report how much disclosure there was in their relationship and how much they liked the other person (Collins & Miller, 1994.) The second group is the Acquaintance Paradigm, where subjects were observed interacting with one or more others, and in which the discloser was manipulated to show either high or low in intimacy (Collins & Miller, 1994.) The third, is the Impression-formation paradigm, in which subjects read or observed a target's typical disclosing behavior interacting with a partner and following being asked for an impression of the discloser (Collins & Miller, 1994.) Finally, the fourth is a field study, in which the subject discloses to strangers in public place (Collins & Miller, 1994.)