Toward a Multidimensional Approach to the Study of Self-Disclosure

Abstract

In an effort to develop a multidimensional theory of self-disclosure, the present research considered two dimensions of disclosure content4egree of personalness (intimacy) and valence (positiveness or negativenes-as well as gender of the discloser, timing of disclosure in relationship development, and the recipient of disclosure. In Study I, the variables of personalness and valence were manipulated through the use of prototypical disclosure statements with subjects blocked by sex. Subjects were asked to use a scale indicating phases of relationship development to rate when they would likely disclose statements. The analysis revealed significant main effects for all three factors: personalness, valence, and gender, as well as a significant interaction between personalness and valence. In Study 11, personalness and valence were again manipulated, along with blocking for sex. The variable of disclosure recipient (target) was manipulated by asking subjects to separately indicate whether or not they would disclose each statement to five targets: stranger, acquaintance, parent, friend, and spouse. The analysis revealed significant main effects for three factors: personalness, valence, and target. All possible interactions of these variables were also significant. Due to the many consistencies between the findings of these two studies and the many highly significant interactions, it was concluded that a multidimensional approach to the study of self-disclosure is both justified and required.

A test of self‐disclosure based on perceptions of a target's loneliness and gender orientation

“…First, the very act of disclosing implies an interest in the establishment of a relationship (Gilbert & Whiteneck, 1976), and one who is unwilling to exchange information about oneself will have trouble establishing meaningful relationships (Zakahi, 1987). Additionally, low disclosers who reveal little about themselves, may receive a limited amount of similar information from others and have less satisfying relationships; thus, they are more prone to loneliness (Berg & Peplau, 1982;Davis & Franzoi, 1986).…”

Intercultural confrontation styles of culturally homophilous and culturally heterophilous Japanese and U.S. college students

“…Brooks, 1974;Kohen, 1975;Montgomery and Norton, 1981;Thase and Page, 1977); and men self-disclose more than women (cf. Gilbert and Whiteneck, 1976;Sermat and Smyth, 1973).…”

“…Both men and women disclose almost equal amounts of negative statements about themselves, but men are less likely to disclose positive statements about themselves (Gilbert & Whiteneck, 1976) .…”

The Effects of Setting and Gender on Self-Disclosure

“…Similarly, the concept has changed from unidimensional to multidimensional (Cozby, 1973;Gilbert & Horenstein, 1975;Gilbert & Whiteneck, 1976). Wheeless and Grotz (1976) identify five dimensions of self-disclosure: intent, amount, positive/negative valence, accuracy or honesty, and general depth control.…”

“…Wheeless and Grotz (1976) identify five dimensions of self-disclosure: intent, amount, positive/negative valence, accuracy or honesty, and general depth control. Other research has pointed up the importance of considering variables such as target person (the person to whom the disclosure is made) and length of the relationship (Berger, Gardner, Clatterbuck, & Schalman, 1976;Gilbert & Whiteneck, 1976;Jourard & Landsman, 1960). The concept of self-disclosure as a multidimensional construct offers a potential explanation for the equivocal findings ori differences in selfdisclosure according to gender.…”