Social penetration theory outlines how intimacy develops through mutual self-disclosure across layered personality structures, using an onion metaphor. It identifies various stages of self-disclosure and emphasizes the reciprocity of sharing personal information, highlighting the importance of breadth and depth in relationships. Additionally, it incorporates social exchange theory, suggesting that relationships are influenced by evaluations of costs and rewards, where individuals strive to maximize benefits in their interpersonal interactions.

1. SOCIAL
PENETRATION
THEORY
By Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor, 1973
Comm 22:
Introduction to Communication Theories
Virginia B. Bautista

2. Key Names and Terms
– Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor
– Social Penetration
– Personality Structure
– Self-Disclosure
– Orientation, Exploratory Affective, Affective, Stable,
Depenetration
– Depth of Penetration

3. Key Names and Terms (con’td)
– Law of Reciprocity
– Breadth of Penetration
– Social Exchange
– John Thibaut and Harold Kelley
– Outcome
– Minimax principle of human behavior
– Comparison level (CL)
– Comparison level of alternatives (CLalt)

4. The Vow (Official Trailer)

5. Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor

6. Social Penetration
Process of developing deeper intimacy with another
person through mutual self-disclosure and other forms of
vulnerability

7. Personality Structure: A Multilayered
Onion
Personality structure
– Onion-like layers of beliefs and feelings
about self, others, and the world

8. Onion Metaphor: Social Penetration Theory

9. Closeness Through Self-Disclosure
Voluntary sharing of personal history,
preferences, attitudes,
feelings, values, secrets, etc. with another person

10. Stages of Self-Disclosure
Orientation
Exploratory
Affective
Affective Stable Depenetration

11. The Breadth and Depth of Self-Disclosure
Depth of penetration – degree
of disclosure in specific area
of an individual’s life
Breadth of penetration – range
of areas in individual’s life over
which disclosure takes place

12. Breadth of Self-
Disclosure

13. The Breadth and Depth of Self-Disclosure:
4 Observations

14. 1. Peripheral items exchanged more frequently
and sooner than private information

15. 2. Self-disclosure is reciprocal, especially in
early stages of relationship development.

16. 3. Penetration is rapid at start but slows
quickly as the tightly wrapped inner layers are
reached

17. 4. Depenetration is a gradual process
of layer-by-layer withdrawal

20. Breadth without depth describes
casual relationship.

21. True intimacy has multiple wedges inserted
deeply into every area.

22. How do we regulate
closeness?

23. Social Exchange Theory
by John Thibaut and Harold Kelley (1959)
Relationship behavior and status regulated by
parties’ evaluations of perceived rewards and
costs of interaction with each other

24. Minimax principle of human behavior –
people seek to maximize benefits and minimize costs

25. If the costs outweigh the rewards, the process of social
penetration will not proceed.

26. OUTCOME = Rewards – Costs
of Interpersonal Interaction
OUTCOME

27. Comparison Level (CL)—Gauging Relational
Satisfaction
Outcome seems attractive.

28. Comparison Level of Alternatives (CLalt)—Gauging
Relational Stability
Best outcome available in other relationships.

29. Regulating Closeness on the Basis of Rewards and Cost

30. Happy-ever-after relationship
“The grass is greener on the other side.”
“I’d rather be in a miserable relationship
than no relationship at all.”
Leaving a relationship for something more
promising.

31. Thank you!