Self Disclosure In Relationships

In any relationship self-disclosure plays a necessary role at all stages according to social penetration theory (Verderber & Verderber, 2013). However, as a relationship builds over time so does the information we provide during self-disclosure. Our personality has multiple layers that lead to our inner core, which holds our “values, deep emotions, and self-concept,” (Verderber & Verderber, 2013, p. 170). As we build towards more intimate relationships we reveal different layers of our personality through self-disclosure. When a relationship begins we begin to disclose a lot of information from our public personality (Verderber & Verderber, 2013). For example, we share our name, where we went to school, our major, our favorite foods or movies, and other basic information. If the self-disclosure is returned from our partner we move deeper into revealing our personality with that person (Verderber & Verderber, 2013). After reveling this information, the relationship

However, as I thought about it further and read over the guidelines again I realized that I really do use all of guidelines each day in different relationships. For instance, I have noticed that the information I disclose definitely is dependent on the type of relationship I have with the person (Verderber & Verderber, 2013). However, even in groups of friends I disclose information different to different people in that group. The information I do share is usually information that I would expect to receive back (Verderber & Verderber, 2013). Furthermore, I do determine if the information I am about to disclose represents an acceptable risk, will my partner be negatively affected by this disclosure (Verderber & Verderber, 2013). I was unaware that I used these guidelines each day when providing self-disclosure in