COMM 360 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Social Penetration Theory, Inner Core, Social Exchange Theory

• School: Ball State University
• Department: Communication Stds
• Course: COMM 360
• Professor: Spencer Coile

Document Summary

Comm 360 ch 8 : social penetration theory. Social penetration : the process of developing deeper intimacy with another person through mutual self-disclosure and other forms of vulnerability. Personality structure: a multilayered onion: outer layer : public self, beneath the surface ae attitudes revealed to only some people. Closeness through self-disclosure: become close to others by relaxing tight boundaries and making yourself vulnerable. Regulating closeness on the basis of rewards and costs. If perceived mutual benefits outweigh the cost of vulnerability than the process of social penetration will proceed: social exchange theory identifies 3 components of this mental calculation : relational outcome, relational satisfaction and relational stability. Relational outcome: rewards minus costs: people try to predict the outcome of interaction before it happens, we gauge payoffs of interactions and choose the one with the best result. Experiences in the beginning of a relationship have a big impact.