Self-disclosure refers to the voluntary and verbal communication of personal information to the targeted recipient. It can differ with regards to frequency (1), breadth (2) and depth (3). The frequency of self-disclosure refers to the amount of information revealed. The breadth of disclosure refers to the range or diversity of self-disclosure topics. The depth of self-disclosure refers to the intimacy of personal information divulged.
The social penetration theory states that changes in self-disclosure between partners are integral to and indicative of relationship growth and decline. As a relationship progresses, there is a greater breadth and depth of disclosures.
The social identity model of deindividuation (SIDE) states that people have a personal and a social self. It states that the lack of individuating cues in online environments dilutes the perception of difference between partners engaged in social exchanges, making social identity salient and others’ behaviours are seen as representative of the group norm. Self-disclosure thus results from perceived norms of self-disclosure. The social context dictates the influences of perceived norms of self-disclosure.
The hyperpersonal CMC theory states that a lack of individuating cues in online environments allows participants greater control in their self-representation (1) and can create idealized perceptions of their partner (2). This can lead to the perception of an exaggerated intimacy, leading to more self-disclosure.
The reduced cues theory (RCT) states that cues are indicative of the social context and its associated norms and behavioural etiquette. In online environments, people self-disclosure more because the cues of the immediate reaction of the partner are absent (e.g. non-verbal cues, situational cues).
The social information processing theory (SIP) states that cues are conduits for communication, not representatives of social norms. There is increased self-disclosure online because there are less means of communicating (e.g. no non-verbal cues as a means of communication). The information stays constant but the methods of communication are reduced online.
The media richness theory (MRT) states that every medium can be ranked on a richness continuum and the richer a medium, the more information can and will be transmitted. This means that there will be more self-disclosure in FTF interactions as that is a richer form of communicating. Richness refers to the degree to which a communication medium allows feedback, a range of communication channels and is personal.
Empirical evidence does not clearly support one theory. There is a greater frequency of self-disclosure in CMC than FTF. There is no clear result for the breadth of self-disclosure in CMC. There is also no clear result for the depth of self-disclosure in CMC.
Synchronous and asynchronous (1) and personality (2) should be taken into account when assessing self-disclosure theories.
