Summary Social Penetration Theory Literature Review Assignment Self-disclosure, how it affects our friendship? Yuan Liu Arizona State University

Social Penetration Theory Literature Review Assignment Self-disclosure, how it affects our friendship? Yuan Liu Arizona State University Social Penetration Theory Literature Review Assignment: Self-disclosure, how it affects our friendship? Since the beginning of the twentieth century, immigration and study abroad has become a topic of concern to most people. But many of the interviews and literature data indicate that immigrants and foreign students are not living happily. Differences in culture and language, lead to a bad result, immigrants and foreign students can not quickly accepted and get into their surrounding environment, this situation is particularly serious in international student population. “Social penetration theory serves as the bridge between the discussions on relationship development and the process of self-disclosure.”(Chen, 2012). Many psychologists pointed out that, the reason why students alienated is do not understand the local culture and can not use local language well, these two things lead to international student do not like to be self-disclosure. But according to social penetration theory, the process of self- disclosure is important to promote relations between each other. In summary, this article will be based on social penetration theory, the importance of self-disclosure will be discussed. By analyzing the literature date, to reflect how the degree of self- disclosure will influence the friendship between each other. Theoretical Overview Social Penetration Theory, as everyone knows it is an Objective paradigm and falls under the socio-psychological tradition. Social penetration theory to study the association between individuals, and through a series of interactive communication to explain the relationship between individuals, so it is an Objective. Socio- psychological is grounded in the study of the individual and there is specific focus on interpersonal interaction and influences, so it falls under socio-psychological tradition. Social Penetration Theory’s research is the relationship between people, mostly part of friendship. This theory’s research helps people in daily communication. According to Chen (2012), “The theorists state that relationship development is based on levels of self-disclosure; in other words, communication changes from relatively shallow to greater depth of, as well as relatively narrow to greater breadth of personal disclosure as relationships develop” (p. 133). On the other hand, self-disclosure has become one of the most important process when people try to improve relationship. “self-disclosure has generally been found to have a positive effect on relationship development, although it is acknowledged that partners may cycle back and forth between being open and closed in their disclosures, and too much self-disclosure (especially of negative information) early on in relationships may have a negative effect”(Greene et al., 2006). Social Penetration theory can helps people in communication, it is a theory teach people how to keep a relationship and how to build better relationship, no one can leave without friend, we can see how important and helpful to have good relationship. The strength of Social Penetration Theory is easy to understand, self-disclosure is not difficult and we can be better communicator by practicing. The weakness of Social Penetration Theory is hard to control, if we self-disclosure too much, we may cause offense to others. So, from here people knows that one of the key to use Social Penetration Theory is know if you use it correct, rational.