It takes two to self‐disclose: Incremental theorists facilitate others’ self‐disclosure more than do entity theorists

Abstract

Objective:We tested the prediction that incremental theorists are more likely to facilitate others' self-disclosure than are entity theorists. Method: We conducted three studies: (a) a field study that examined client's selfdisclosure (N = 122; M age = 41.9, 67.8% woman; Israelis) during an intake interview with a professional therapist (N = 38; M age = 46.2, 84.20% woman; Israelis), (b) a survey of adults (N = 120; M age = 37.14, 57.6% female) who reported self-perceptions and behaviors during conversations and their perceptions of others' self-disclosure. In both studies participants reported their implicit theories, and (c) an experiment (N = 250; M age = 28.27, 56.6% female) in which participants whose implicit theories were manipulated reported their opening behaviors during a conversation and their perceptions of others' self-disclosure. Results: Ones' incremental theory of personality was positively related to another's self-disclosure, to one's opening and disclosure-encouraging behaviors, and was negatively related to one's perceptions of others' self-protection tendency.Furthermore, one's opening behaviors and perceptions of others' self-protection tendencies mediated the effect of one's incremental theory on others' self-disclosure. Conclusion: Those who believe people can grow and change, can influence others to trust their personal information with them, even when the information is negative. K E Y W O R D Simplicit theories of personality, listening, opening behaviors, self-disclosure, self-protection How to cite this article: Levontin L, Nakash O, Danziger S. It takes two to self-disclose: Incremental theorists facilitate others' self-disclosure more than do entity theorists. Journal of Personality.

A qualitative study examining the quality of working alliance as a function of the social identifies of clients and therapists during the mental health intake

“…Previous research has also documented the role of client's openness and willingness to disclose to the therapist's empathy and connection with them (Levontin et al, 2019;Nakash and Alegr ıa, 2013;Nakash et al, 2009a). Self-disclosure is an essential factor in interpersonal relationships, and it is crucial to intimate relationship development including therapeutic relationships (Cozby, 1973;Derlega et al, 1993).…”

Fairy Tale Situation Test for Implicit Theories of Personality

“…Because the main measurement method is still a personality questionnaire and the indirect measurement paradigm in the detection of "hidden" personality has not received enough attention. Although the effectiveness of the former is verified to a certain extent [6,33], it will not be as the best analysis paradigm of ITP [20,34]. Some researchers argued that the conclusion should be cautiously made because of several weaknesses of the self-report personality scales.…”