What is the role of self-disclosure in relationship development?

• Self-disclosure is the act of revealing information about yourself to another person
• It’s an essential part of relationship development and often results in increased liking and attraction
• There is an expectation of reciprocity—I share, you share
• Self-disclosure varies in breadth or the number of topics you are willing to disclose to another—hobbies, education, family, work experience
• Self-disclosures also differ in depth or the level of intimacy and amount of detail shared with another
• Which brings us to the Onion Theory (Social Penetration Theory) — an explanation of how the quality or intimacy of self-disclosures change over time in relationships as they become more intimate. When individuals gain trust in one another, they are more likely to share private information