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Lesson 8 Social Penetration Theory

Social Penetration Theory proposes that relationships develop through reciprocal self-disclosure, moving from superficial to intimate levels over time. It describes this process as an "onion model" with layers representing different aspects of personality. While disclosure is important for closeness, revealing too much too soon could damage the relationship. The theory views relationships as involving costs and rewards that are weighed at different stages, from orientation to stable partnership or depenetration. Critics argue it oversimplifies disclosure and development.

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Thiviya Ramesh
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121 views11 pages

Lesson 8 Social Penetration Theory

Social Penetration Theory proposes that relationships develop through reciprocal self-disclosure, moving from superficial to intimate levels over time. It describes this process as an "onion model" with layers representing different aspects of personality. While disclosure is important for closeness, revealing too much too soon could damage the relationship. The theory views relationships as involving costs and rewards that are weighed at different stages, from orientation to stable partnership or depenetration. Critics argue it oversimplifies disclosure and development.

Uploaded by

Thiviya Ramesh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SOCIAL

PENETRATION
THEORY
Lesson 10
INTRODUCTION
A. Altman and Taylor developed Social
Penetration Theory (SPT) in an attempt to
understand the relational closeness that exists
between two people.

B. Social penetration refers to the process of


relationship bonding whereby individuals move
from superficial communication to more
intimate communication.

C. Social penetration includes verbal (words),


nonverbal (space, smiling, etc.), and
environmentally oriented behaviors (physical
objects in environment, space between
partners, etc.).
INTRODUCTION
D. Altman and Taylor proposed that
relationships follow a pathway to
closeness that they referred to as a
“trajectory.”

E. It is important to note that initial


interactions about social penetration took
place in the 1960s and 1970s, an era
when open and candid communication
was a highly valued relational strategy.
ASSUMPTIONS OF SPT
1.

Relationship progress from nonintimate


to intimate

Relational development is generally


systematic and predictable

Relational development includes


depenetration and dissolution

Self-disclosure is at the core of


relational development
THE ONION ANALOGY
A. Altman and Taylor use the analogy of
layers in an onion to represent various
aspects of an individual's personality.
B. Shifts in the central layers as a result
of disclosure have more of an impact
than do shifts in the outer or peripheral
layers.
C. The greater the depth of disclosure,
the more opportunities there are for an
individual to feel vulnerable in the
relationship.
SELF DISCLOSURE IN
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

Early in a relationship As the relationship develops

Very
Very
Intimate
Intimate

Intimate Superficial
THE ONION ANALOGY
D. Self-disclosure in relationships is a
result of the trust that is established.
E. The caution in disclosure
communication is that, if too much
private information is revealed early in
the relationship, it may make the other
partner uncomfortable and motivate him
or her to end the relationship. Disclosure
should be thoughtful and appropriate.
A SOCIAL EXCHANGE: RELATIONAL
COSTS AND REWARDS
 Altman and Taylor (1987) theorize that
relationships can be viewed in economic
terms as the exchange of rewards and costs.
STAGES OF THE SPT PROCESS
A. Relationship development occurs in a
systematic fashion.
B. Decisions about whether to continue
pursuing the relationship are not typically
made quickly.
C. Social penetration is not limited to
romantic relationships; it applies to
relationships in a wide variety of contexts
(e.g., family, friends, co-workers).
STAGES OF THE SPT PROCESS
Five stages have been identified in the process of
social penetration:
 Orientation (surface)
 Exploratory stage (sharing some opinions &
secrets)
 Affective ( sharing real opinions & thoughts)
 Stable (nothing excited/ plato)
 Depenetration (go back to where you started)
CRITIQUE OF SPT
Critique of SPT
A. SPT is heuristic, yielding hundreds of studies.
1. It can be applied to a wide variety of contexts,
populations and phenomena.

B. Some have argued the theory has limited scope.


1. Critics propose that self-disclosure is too narrowly
interpreted in the theory.
2. Knapp and Vangelisti point out the limits of SPT because
of its view of relationship development as so linear.
3. The theorists have rethought some of the theory’s
original ideas and acknowledges that being open should be
considered alongside being private.

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