Social Penetration
-The process of developing deeper intimacy with another person through mutual self-disclosure and other forms of vulnerability.
Personality Structure
-Onion-like layers of beliefs and feelings about self, others, and the world; deeper levels are more vulnerable, protected, and central to self-image.
Self-disclosure
-The voluntary sharing of personal history, preferences, attitudes, feelings, values, secrets, etc., with another person; transparency.
Depth of penetration
-The degree of disclosure in a specific area of an individual’s life.
Law of reciprocity
-A paced and ordered process in which openness in one person leads to openness in the other.
Breadth of penetration
-The range of areas in an individuals life over which disclosure takes place.
Orientation phase:When people first meet, they are revealing their outer superficial shell. Conversations revolve around hobbies, likes, and dislikes.
Exploratory Effective phase: The relationship develops as a few layers of the personality are "peeled off" allowing the personality to show through in verbal and nonverbal communication. The relationship becomes more intimate.
Affective phase: More layers are peeled away until almost the entire personality is revealed. Participants develop and understanding for one another and begin to discuss personal topics.
Stable phase: This is the final stage in the relationship where all layers have been peeled away, exposing the core of the individual's personality.