SOCIAL PENETRATION THEORY

Personality Structure

Creative Project by Vicki Southerland

Social Penetration Theory

Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor proposed that relationships develop closeness in an orderly fashion, much like peeling through the layers of an onion.  

Closeness comes by self-disclosure The deeper the degree of penetration of the

layers, the deeper the degree of intimacy Self-disclosure is reciprocal especially to

start It is easier to move through the outer layers,

slower through the more tightly wrapped inner layers.

A First Look at Communication by Em Griffin (Chapter 9)

Social Penetration Theory•P

ublic Self

•Dating, worldview, studies, tastes

•Preferences

•Clothes, food, music …

•Goals and aspirations

•Religious convictions

•Deeply held fears and fantasies

•Concept of self

Social Penetration Theory To illustrate this theory I’d like to introduce Joe Like everyone, there are many aspects of his

personality The slides will focus on Joe meeting Emily. Instead of using an onion to represent his

personality structure, we will use a Russian nesting doll

Each doll that opens represents a layer deeper into his degrees of intimacy

Joe and Emily’s closeness increases through mutual self-disclosure

Joe likes to date

Layer #1 - Dating is part of his public self anyone can see

Photo by Emily Southerland Photography

He met Emily and decided to ask her out. She said yes.

They brought each other to their favorite places

Layer #2 – sharing preferences in clothes, food, music…

They dreamed of what they wanted to become

Layer #3 – Goals and Aspirations

Photo by Emily Southerland Photography

A church wedding was planned

Layer #4 – sharing religious beliefs

was the birth of their first child.

Layer #5 – Deep fear and fantasy layer

One example of this layer in their relationship

It was a very difficult birth and Joe stayed by Emily’s side the entire time

This layer, Joe would need to tell you himself…

these memories may give us a clue

Layer #6 – Concept of Self