Concept or Theory Explanation
Social penetration theory makes a postulation that as relationships grow, interpersonal relationships between individuals graduate from being shallow, non-intimate relations to being deeply entrenched. Its inception occurred in 1973 by Dalmas Tylor and Irwin Altman, both pursing research in the realm of psychology (Carpenter & Greene, 2015). The theory offers insights regarding development of relationships between individuals. According to the theorists, different levels of intimacy of social relations determine development of relationships and how they graduate from one level to another. According to STP, self-disclosure constitutes an important element in relationship development. Self-disclosure pertains revelation of a person’s feelings, personal motives, experiences and desires to another individual. The theory is built on the assumption that growth of relationships is predictable and systematic. Social penetration theory avers that through self-disclosure, graduation of relationship from one notch to another follows a particular trajectory that entail movement from superficial compartments to more intimate layers. As Carpenter and Greene (2015) explain, self-disclosure as per STP propositions, anchor the development of relationships from one level to the highest intimate level. Social Penetration Theory deduces that some relationships also go through the process of de-penetration and regression over time leading to their eventual death.
STP paradigm explains that there exists differences in levels of communication which are dependent on degree of interpersonal relationships. For example people who meet the first time, only exchange details such as names and musical preferences. As the degree of intimacy deepens, conversations graduate to for example one’s feelings and ambitions. Thereafter, rate of self-disclosure may slow but the deliberations increasingly become intimate in nature. According to STP, at the most intimate level, people penetrate each other’s persona leading to eventual discovery of a person’s inner most self. However, as the theory infers, stagnation can occur in the event disclosure fails to materialize.
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Why this concept/theory is interesting
Social Penetration Theory informs me about the functioning of information exchange in formation, growth and dissolution of relationships. The theory makes meaning to me as I can relate the steps that I underwent in my former relationships and the bonding process that transpired. Through STP, I am able to understand reasons why some relationships do not reach the intimacy level but stagnate and finally collapse. I find the concept propagated by STP theory fascinating in its application in computer mediated communication for example virtual teams and online dating. I am currently a member of various groups, hence, reading through the theory interests me particularly after recalling an event when friendship became strained due to the failure to have full disclosure as claimed by STP paradigm.
How this concept/theory can be applied to explain your own communication behaviors
The theory can offer an interpretation into my behaviour with others and how the relationship grew from just being acquaintances to intimate friendship. I once arranged a face to face meeting with a friend who I had befriended on Facebook. During our first interaction, I felt unsettled and could only share superficial details that concerned me. According to STP, during such first time interactions, people gather impression towards each other. As reflected in my behaviour, during that stage individuals display their public self and only share superficial details in a scanty style. During our consecutive meetings, we stated revealing ourselves and could comfortably share opinions in areas such as politics. STP refers the phase as exploratory affective stage where only casual friendship is build (Carpenter & Greene, 2015). Later on we could disclose personal details in an open and comfortable manner. STP describes later stages as affective and stable phases which explains my interpersonal relationship and communication to a point where friendship became intimate.
References
Carpenter, A., & Greene, K. (2015). Social penetration theory. The international encyclopedia of interpersonal communication , 1-4.
