The Benefits of Revealing Secrets

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The Benefits of Revealing Secrets

Over the past fifteen years, researchers have acknowledged that the revealing of personal secrets through talking and writing can lead to a variety of health benefits, in view of the fact that the opportunity allows the secret holder to openly express the clandestine information with another. This prospect not only allows the individual the opportunity to relieve themselves of the pressure of the emotional burden, but also the chance to come to terms with the concealment of their secrets.

The revelation of a secret allows for the individual to gain new insight or catharsis into their personal undisclosed information. In the article, a new insight refers to the making of a meaning out of the situation, which lead to the formation of the secret. Once the individual developments a since of meaning, they then can begin the process of developing a since of closure, in regards, to the personal situation, which lead to the formation of the secret.

Catharsis is used in the article to insinuate the “venting of emotions” (652). Catharsis allows for an individual to opening express themselves in a manner were they can declare their pent-up thoughts and feelings, in regards to the establishment of their secret and begin the process of coming to terms with the confidential issue.

In this particular research article the researchers conducted their research “in an effort to disentangle the effects of gaining catharsis from the effects of gaining new insights, which have been blended in previous research that has examined the benefits of revealing emotion and facts surrounding private traumas (662).

There is a matter of some controversy, between the two methods of revealing secrets. Researchers agr...

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...s feel less negative, in regards to their secrets. Study 1 results showed that coming to terms with personal secrets has more positive results then catharsis. In general, the two research studies indicate that there are more positive effects from finding meaning in the secrets and the situations that led up to them, then just attempting to overcome the situation by venting about the secrets.

The researchers are aware their may have be limitations in their research, but they believe their showed that their “pair of studies showed that focusing on getting a new perspective on one’s secrets is a superior means of making oneself feel more positive about them”(663-664).

Bibliography:

Kelly, A., Kenny, C., Klusas, J., and von Weiss, R. (2001). What Is It About Revealing Secrets That Is Beneficial? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 657-665.

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