What is self-disclosure?
• Self-disclosure is the process of letting others know what you think, feel and want.
By revealing information about yourself, others with whom you associate are better
able to understand you – your motivations fears, work style, strengths and
weaknesses. This knowledge helps those people determine strategies for working
effectively with you
• Self-disclosure is the key to developing close
personal relationships.
• Self-disclosure is about getting to know each other personally
Benefits of self-disclosure
• Sharing our thoughts and feelings with others can give psychological relief.
• Disclosing to a sympathetic, supportive and trustworthy listener can help us validate
our perceptions of reality.
• Self-disclosure can help reduce stress and tension.
• Self-disclosure can result in clearer lines of communication with others.
• Self-disclosure can lead to strengthened, enhanced relationships.
• Self disclosure is a team builder and leads to more productivity among workers who
share their self-knowledge with one another.
• Self-disclosure can create a trusting environment that is conducive to promoting
long-term relationships.
Characteristics of Self-Disclosure
• Reciprocity
• Greater breadth and depth over time (incremental)
• Less personal to more personal
• Feelings more than facts
• Focus on present rather than past
• Involves risk and trust
Five Stages of Disclosure
(Altman and Taylor)
• Superficial (e.g. what kind of music you like)
• Political (e.g. what your affiliations are)
• Religious beliefs and attitudes
• Deeply held fears and fantasies
• Concept of self
Fears associated with self-disclosure
• Fear due to previous experiences of violation of trust.
• Uncertainty about how the information is going to be received and utilised.
• Fear of being judged harshly by others.
• Fear of being seen to be vulnerable through the sharing of private knowledge that
may be used against one or shared inappropriately.
• Self-disclosure is the process of letting others know what you think, feel and want.
By revealing information about yourself, others with whom you associate are better
able to understand you – your motivations fears, work style, strengths and
weaknesses. This knowledge helps those people determine strategies for working
effectively with you
• Self-disclosure is the key to developing close
personal relationships.
• Self-disclosure is about getting to know each other personally
Benefits of self-disclosure
• Sharing our thoughts and feelings with others can give psychological relief.
• Disclosing to a sympathetic, supportive and trustworthy listener can help us validate
our perceptions of reality.
• Self-disclosure can help reduce stress and tension.
• Self-disclosure can result in clearer lines of communication with others.
• Self-disclosure can lead to strengthened, enhanced relationships.
• Self disclosure is a team builder and leads to more productivity among workers who
share their self-knowledge with one another.
• Self-disclosure can create a trusting environment that is conducive to promoting
long-term relationships.
Characteristics of Self-Disclosure
• Reciprocity
• Greater breadth and depth over time (incremental)
• Less personal to more personal
• Feelings more than facts
• Focus on present rather than past
• Involves risk and trust
Five Stages of Disclosure
(Altman and Taylor)
• Superficial (e.g. what kind of music you like)
• Political (e.g. what your affiliations are)
• Religious beliefs and attitudes
• Deeply held fears and fantasies
• Concept of self
Fears associated with self-disclosure
• Fear due to previous experiences of violation of trust.
• Uncertainty about how the information is going to be received and utilised.
• Fear of being judged harshly by others.
• Fear of being seen to be vulnerable through the sharing of private knowledge that
may be used against one or shared inappropriately.
