SOCIAL PENETRATION THEORY
Social Penetration theory suggests that relationships develop based on the persons communication from superficial to deeply personal topics (Attimal& Taylor). This theory states that relationships have there highs and lows but the decision to disclose is based on the perceived rewards the person will gain if he or she discloses information. If one feels the cost of disclosing information is greater than the reward for disclosing information then no information will be disclosed. Social penetration theory state that people are assessed by rewards and cost, satisfaction and dissatisfaction, gained interaction with others and the advancement of an interpersonal relationship. The rewards in terms of online dating may come in the form of reciprocal disclosures from other daters. Social penetration theory comes with increased vulnerability. What does this mean? The more an online dater discloses the more someone allows themselves to be vulnerable to another dater. Social penetration allows online users to disclose information but based on rewards they will receive from others gradually.
When it comes to online dating, daters disclose information based on their intentions, for example if a casual hookup is the goal, they wouldn't be sharing their family history, they however would be sharing information about their favorite hookups, in order to be rewarded with other daters who have the same intentions. The reward in online dating is solely based on the intentions of other daters. If a long term commitment is what daters are interested in, they will share information that will allow them to connect with daters who are have the same interests. Online dating is solely based on rewards, each dater has a purpose for signing up whether it be for a relationship, hookup, or friendship, social penetration theory gives daters a concrete understanding of the exchange of information between daters.
According to changingminds.org as a relationship develops the penetration deeper and deeper into private and personal matters, this exposes vulnerabilities which means that trust as to be developed during the relationship. Also the social penetration theory can be broken down into five stages.
Social penetration theory can be broken down into stages:
1.The orientation stage which is considered for daters the stage in which they make small talk, based on comfort levels. At this stage daters have conversations based on appropriateness. In terms of online dating this is the stage where messages are sent such says “ How are you?” The conversation in this stage remains what many consider superficial, until the relationship progresses.
2.The exploratory affective stage where individuals begin to reveal themselves, things such as personal attitudes about government and education come. This allows people to reveal their views which may or may not be the truth based on the comfort level. This stage can be considered the friendship stage.
3.Affective stage is the stage where individuals begin to discuss private and personal matters with the intention that the relationship will progress in this stage it is believed that criticism and arguments occur due to the growth of the relationship, meaning both parties are now comfortable enough to disagree without stepping over boundaries.
4.Stable stage can be considered the stage where personal is shared and each dater can predict the emotion coming from the other.
5. Depenetation is when the cost of the relationship is greater than the reward, when this happens the amount of self-disclosure decreases.
For more information on Social Penetration check out the video below:
Social Penetration theory suggests that relationships develop based on the persons communication from superficial to deeply personal topics (Attimal& Taylor). This theory states that relationships have there highs and lows but the decision to disclose is based on the perceived rewards the person will gain if he or she discloses information. If one feels the cost of disclosing information is greater than the reward for disclosing information then no information will be disclosed. Social penetration theory state that people are assessed by rewards and cost, satisfaction and dissatisfaction, gained interaction with others and the advancement of an interpersonal relationship. The rewards in terms of online dating may come in the form of reciprocal disclosures from other daters. Social penetration theory comes with increased vulnerability. What does this mean? The more an online dater discloses the more someone allows themselves to be vulnerable to another dater. Social penetration allows online users to disclose information but based on rewards they will receive from others gradually.
When it comes to online dating, daters disclose information based on their intentions, for example if a casual hookup is the goal, they wouldn't be sharing their family history, they however would be sharing information about their favorite hookups, in order to be rewarded with other daters who have the same intentions. The reward in online dating is solely based on the intentions of other daters. If a long term commitment is what daters are interested in, they will share information that will allow them to connect with daters who are have the same interests. Online dating is solely based on rewards, each dater has a purpose for signing up whether it be for a relationship, hookup, or friendship, social penetration theory gives daters a concrete understanding of the exchange of information between daters.
According to changingminds.org as a relationship develops the penetration deeper and deeper into private and personal matters, this exposes vulnerabilities which means that trust as to be developed during the relationship. Also the social penetration theory can be broken down into five stages.
Social penetration theory can be broken down into stages:
1.The orientation stage which is considered for daters the stage in which they make small talk, based on comfort levels. At this stage daters have conversations based on appropriateness. In terms of online dating this is the stage where messages are sent such says “ How are you?” The conversation in this stage remains what many consider superficial, until the relationship progresses.
2.The exploratory affective stage where individuals begin to reveal themselves, things such as personal attitudes about government and education come. This allows people to reveal their views which may or may not be the truth based on the comfort level. This stage can be considered the friendship stage.
3.Affective stage is the stage where individuals begin to discuss private and personal matters with the intention that the relationship will progress in this stage it is believed that criticism and arguments occur due to the growth of the relationship, meaning both parties are now comfortable enough to disagree without stepping over boundaries.
4.Stable stage can be considered the stage where personal is shared and each dater can predict the emotion coming from the other.
5. Depenetation is when the cost of the relationship is greater than the reward, when this happens the amount of self-disclosure decreases.
For more information on Social Penetration check out the video below: