Self disclosure

Assessment | Biopsychology | Comparative | Cognitive | Developmental | Language | Individual differences | Personality | Philosophy | Social |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |

Clinical: Approaches · Group therapy · Techniques · Types of problem · Areas of specialism · Taxonomies · Therapeutic issues · Modes of delivery · Model translation project · Personal experiences ·

---

Self & identity

Articles

Identity (social science) Self (philosophy) Self (psychology) Self (sociology) Self (spirituality) Academic self concept Self actualization Self analysis Self care skills Self concept Self confidence Self congruence Self control Self defeating behavior Self defense Self destructive behavior Self determination Self disclosure Self efficacy Self esteem Self evaluation Self handicapping strategy Self knowledge Self monitoring Self mutilation Self perception Self preservation Self reference Self report Self stimulation

Identity

DID Ego identity Ethnic identity Gender identity Group identity GID Identity crisis Identity formation Professional identity Social identity

Other articles

Self examination (medical) Self help techniques Self image Self inflicted wounds Self management Self medication Self psychology Self referral Self reinforcement Self talk Social identity Social identity complexity Social Identity Theory Identity Fusion

Self-disclosure is both the conscious and unconscious act of revealing more about ourselves to others. This may include but is not limited to thoughts, feelings, aspirations, goals, failures, successes, fears, dreams as well as our likes, dislikes, and favorites. Many people attempt to avoid "self-disclosing" too much to co-workers, or when dating for fear of being judged negatively by others.

Typically self-disclosure is done when we initially meet someone and as we continue to build and develop our relationships with people. As we get to know each other we equally self-disclose things. If one person is not willing to "self disclose" then the other person may "shut down" or stop disclosing information about themselves as well.

In a counseling session, the patient or client does the "self disclosing" while the counselor, or therapist listens. Their role is to help the client see things from different angles. The allows the client to see and evaluate options he or she may not have thought about, which gives the client more power when making important life decisions.

Debate: For and against therapist self disclosure

See also

• Anonimity
• Confidentiality
• Interpersonal communication
• Secrecy
• Self (psychology)

Key texts

Papers

• Sprecher, S. (1987) The effects of self disclosure given and received on affection for an intimate partner and stability of the relationship, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 4: 115-28.

Additional material

Papers

• Google Scholar