Social Penetration Theory

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Social Penetration Theory The social penetration theory is based upon the process of developing a greater intimate relationship with another person through mutual self disclosure with another. Now along with this theory ties in that any form of vulnerability does the same thing. Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor compared the human being to an onion, that being that there are layers to which each one's own personality is composed of, the deeper the penetration of the "onion" the more deeper bond you will have with that particular person. For example on the very outer layers of this so called onion are very broad ideas like studies, tastes, or worldview. Now going a little deeper you have ideas of biographical data, one more layer you have your preferences in food, or music. now to a deeper level you have your individual goals and self aspirations. One closer to the center you have religious beliefs, and or deeply held fears or fantasies, and to the very center of this onion you have your concept of self, now this layer is the hardest to get to someone because certain people have walls or barriers while becoming close enough do disclose this very personal information. A concept that you need to understand when dealing with the social penetration theory is self disclosure, now this is where an individual voluntarily shares personal history, preferences, attitudes, feelings, values, and secrets with an individual. This theory is objective because this theory attempts to explain and predict that the deeper you penetrate into someone's personality onion, the deeper relationship you will form with that person. Annotated References Chen, Y., & Nakazawa, M. (2009). Influences of Culture on Self-Disclosure as Relationally Situated in Intercultural and Interracial Friendships from a Social Penetration Perspective. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, 38(2),
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