User:Bua327/Social Penetration Theory

The social penetration theory (SPT) proposes that, as relationships develop, interpersonal communication moves from relatively shallow, non-intimate levels to deeper, more intimate ones. The theory was formulated by psychologists Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor in 1973 to understand relationship development between individuals. Altman and Taylor note that relationships "involve different levels of intimacy of exchange or degree of social penetration". SPT is known as an objective theory as opposed to an interpretive theory, meaning that it is based on data drawn from experiments and not from conclusions based on individuals' specific experiences.

SPT states that the relationship development occurs primarily through self-disclosure, or intentionally revealing personal information such as personal motives, desires, feelings, thoughts, and experiences to others. Today, this remains the building block of relationship theory. This theory is also guided by the assumptions that relationship development is systematic and predictable. Through self-disclosure, relationship development follows particular trajectory, moving from superficial layers of exchanges to more intimate ones. Self-disclosure is the major way to bring a relationship to a new level of intimacy. SPT also examines the process of de-penetration and how some relationships regress over time and eventually end.

Self-disclosure
The self-disclosure is a purposeful disclosure of personal information to another person. Disclosure may include sharing both high-risk and low-risk information as well as personal experiences, ideas, attitudes, feelings, values, past facts and life stories, and even future hopes, dreams, ambitions, and goals. In sharing information about themselves, people make choices about what to share and with whom to share it. Altman and Taylor believe that opening inner self to other is the main route to reach to intimate relationships.

As for the speed of self-disclosure, Altman and Taylor were convinced that the process of social penetration moves quickly in the beginning stages of a relationship and slows down considerably in the later stages. Those who are able to develop a long-term, positive reward/cost outcome are the same people who are able to share important matches of breadth categories. The early reward/cost assessment have a strong impact on the relationship's reactions and involvement, and expectancies in a relationship regarding the future play a major role on the outcome of the relationship.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT) is the process that people experience as they begin new relationships. When two strangers meet, they engage in this theory by asking questions of each other in order to build a stronger relationship. In the context of both URT and SPT, questions are seen as a tool for finding information about the other in order to receive rewards. These rewards are either physical/material rewards or abstract rewards that supplement the relationship as it develops. Rewards and costs of relationships in the context of the theories here are further expounded upon later in the article.

Through this process of asking questions in a new relationship , the uncertainty and anxiety can reduce and lead to a more developed relationship  between the two people. Where social penetration theory postulates that new relationships (either romantic or platonic) steadily evolve into deeper conversations and interactions, uncertainty reduction theory postulates that these new relationships can reach that deep level through question and answer processes. Although SP T  primarily focuses on the linear trajectory of the relationship as the two parties get a deeper understanding of one another, URT  is relevant in that it focuses on each instance when uncertainty may need to be reduced through question asking on a case by case basis (i.e. the two people initially meet and questions are asked and later on in the relationship, one party asks the other to meet their parents and the two engage in UR  T  to reduce the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the situation. It is productive to view both of these theories in the context of relationships because they can encompass both the uncertainty occurrences in relationships and track the breadth and depth of the relationship throughout each of these occurrences.  URT and SPT are bridged together  throughout relationships.

Barriers
Several factors can affect the amount of self-disclosure between partners: gender, race, religion, personality, social status and ethnic background. Americans friends tend to discuss intimate topics with each other, whereas Japanese friends are more likely to discuss superficial topics. One might feel less inclined to disclose personal information if doing so would violate their religious beliefs. Being part of a religious minority could also influence how much one feels comfortable in disclosing personal information. In romantic relationships, women are more likely to self-disclose than their male counterparts. Men often refrain from expressing deep emotions out of fear of social stigma. Such barriers can slow the rate of self-disclosure and even prevent relationships from forming. In theory, the more dissimilar two people are, the more difficult or unlikely self-disclosure becomes.

Social exchange theory
Social exchange theory states that humans weigh each relationship and interaction with another human on a reward cost scale without realizing it. If the interaction was satisfactory, then that person or relationship is looked upon favorably. When there are positive interactions that produce good reward/cost calculations, the relationship is likely to be more satisfying. But if an interaction was unsatisfactory, then the relationship will be evaluated for its costs compared to its rewards or benefits. People try to predict the outcome of an interaction before it takes place.

Computer-mediated communication[edit]
Computer-mediated communication (CMC) can be thought of as another way in which people can develop relationships. Technology itself is seen as a medium that connects people who would otherwise be strangers through shared interests or cultures. The Internet has been thought to broaden the way people communicate and build relationships by providing a medium in which people could be open-minded and unconventional and circumvent traditional limitations like time and place. (Yum & Hara, 2005) Prior to the creation of social media and online dating sites, strangers could get to know one another through pen-pal organizations or meeting in public locations. With the influx of CMC and the advancement of technology itself, strangers are able to decide whether they will invest time in and develop a relationship based off of information that is provided in a profile. When someone sees that a person included a similar interest to them in their profile, the uncertainty becomes reduced and the two strangers utilize CMC to connect over their shared interests.

As time has progressed, the stigma around online dating has reduced significantly and more research is being done in relation to SPT and CMC. When engaging in a new relationship through CMC, there are certain elements and nonverbal cues that are missing thus increasing the uncertainty in the relationship. With the more prominent use of such dating services online, relationship development itself has changed. Prior to the implementation of CMC to relationships, couples solely relied on face to face interactions, nonverbal cues, and first impressions to decide whether or not they would continue to develop the relationship further. The introduction of CMC in romantic relationships has added an element for all parties to consider when beginning their relationships. Whether they move forward in the relationships and develop it deeper can be decided fully off of CMC interactions that could potentially present a false image or notion of who the other person is.

Some theorists[who?] find this concept of CMC impossible and there are barriers to this idea. Since there are risks and there is usually more uncertainty about whether the person on the other side of the computer is being real and truthful, or deceitful and manipulative for one reason or another there is no possible way to build a relationship. A lack of face-to-face communication can cause heightened skepticism and doubt. Since this is possible, there is no chance to make a long-lasting and profound connection.

However, there are other researchers who have found that self-disclosure online tends to reassure people that if they are rejected, at least it’s more likely to be by strangers and not family or friends; thus, reinforcing the desire to self-disclose online, rather than face-to-face. (Panos, 2014) Not only are people meeting new people to make friends, but many people are meeting and initiating romantic relationships online. (Yum & Hara, 2005) In another study, it was found that "CMC dyads compensated for the limitations of the channel by making their questions more intimate than those who exhibited face-to-face" (Sheldon, 2009).

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