Effects of self-disclosure on interpersonal attraction

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of personalistic self-disclosure on interpersonal attraction. Thirty-two male subjects participated in the experiment. After showing intimate or superficial disclosure, the confederate attributed the cause of his disclosure either to the subjects (personalistic condition) or to the confederate himself (non-personalistic condition). Subjects were then informed of these attributions. Results obtained clearly supported the hypotheses. Subjects who received intimate and personalistic disclosures liked the confederate significantly more than those who received intimate and non-personalistic disclosures. On the other hand, subjects who received superficial and personalistic disclosures disliked the confederate significantly more than those who received superficial and non-personalistic disclosures.