Theoretical Perspectives of Relationship

Social Penetration Theory

• Formulated by Profs. Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor.

• Dynamics of closeness of relationship.• Closeness in a relationship occurs through a

gradual process of self-disclosure.• Closeness develops if the participants proceed in

a gradual and orderly fashion – from superficial to intimate levels of exchange.

• Self-disclosure:–Act of revealing more about individuals

both conscious and unconscious levels.–Referred to in terms of breadth and

depth.–Depth = units of layers – multi-layered

human personality – onion analogy.–Different emotional levels.

CORE – INVISIBLE PRIVATE DOMAIN – Values, Self-Concept, and Deep Emotions.Profound impact on areas of life which lie closer to surface.

Private Information -- Likings, Dis-likings, Beliefs, Faith…

Public Self – Weight, Age, Gender, HeightPUBLIC INFORMATION

Layers of human personality

• SPT says – humans even without thinking about it weigh each relationship and interaction with another human on a Reward-Cost-Scale.

INTERACTION

SATISFACTORY

REALATIONSHIP

FAVOURABLE

INTERACTION

UNSATISFACTORY

REALATIONSHIP Evaluated as COST-REWARD

Stages of Social PenetrationORIENTATION STAGE

EXPLORATORY AFFECTIVE STAGE

AFFECTIVE STAGE

STABLE STAGE

DEPENETRATION

• PEOPLE PLAY SAFE – SMALL TALK AND SIMPLE HARMLESS CLOTCHES.

• HOW ARE YOU?• WEATHER REPORT OF THE DAY• COMMENTS ON WEATHER – HOT OR COLD

DAY• IT MAY RAIN TODAY

ORIENTATION STAGE

• WE START REVEAL OURSELVES• EXPRESSING PERSONAL ATTITUTDE ABOUT

MODERATE TOPICS – GOVT., EDN.

EXPLORATORY AFFECTIVE STAGE

• DISCUSSION IS GRADUATED TO PRIVATE AND PERSONAL MATTERS.

• CRITICISM AND ARGUMENTS MAY ARISE.• MAY GET INTIMATE AND PHYSICAL.

AFFECTIVE STAGE

• PERSONAL THINGS ARE SHARED.• PHONE CALLS, SMSs.

STABLE STAGE

• COST EXCEEDS BENEFITS• RELATIONSHIP STARTS TO BREAK DOWN• WITHDRAWL OF DISCLOSURE – TERMINATION

OF RELATIONSHIP• BITCHING-DITCHING – MENTAL ITCHING

DEPENETRATION

• BREADTH AND DEPTH• BREADTH – NO. OF TOPICS ONE TALKS ABOUT• DEPTH – DEGREE OF PERSONALNESS WITH

WHICH PEOPLE PURSUE THE TOPIC.• INSURANCE AGENT.