Social Penetration Theory Paper

In this paper I will examine the social structure theory, along with its definition and how the different types of theories make up the social structure theory. I will also attempt to discuss the strain, culture conflict, and social disorganization theory all of which make up the social conflict theory. I also wish to discuss the video “Tent City, Arizona” and answer the following questions, “How does the video you selected support a social structure theory? What is the primary subject or content of the video? What social issues are raised in the video? What major principles of sociological theory are addressed in the video? What might be some possible ramifications for social policy change?”

Your best and closest friends where not always your friends, at some point they were stragers. We take gradual steps toward building friends that become deeper and more intimate along the way. When we take these steps we are applying the Social Penetration Theory (SPT). SPT was developed by Irwin Alman and Dalmas Taylor and states that “the process of develping deeper intimacy with another person through mutual self-disclosure and other forms of vulnerability”(p. 97). SPT expects self-disclosure to gain an equal response from the other person making it recipocal. The reciporciay can be strategicly thought out and planned to gain a certain result and can also be spontaneous. Spontaneous self-disclosure happens when one discloses personal

(3b) Studies have shown the effects of social relations on psychological wellbeing, where high quality relationships between individuals decrease the

Relationship Quality (good). Increased friendship quality is typically cited as an outcome of co-rumination. Friendships are important factors in socioemotional development as they provide positive functions like companionship, protection, guidance, and validation (Rose 2007; Dirhangi et al 2015). These peer relationship become increasingly important for adolescents as they begin to turn more towards friends for company, sources of comfort and emotional support (Ruitjen et al 2010). These aspects are vital to friendships and create a welcome environment for co-rumination to commence. Co-rumination was shown to have a significant positive correlation with reports on relationship quality among adolescent best friends (Rose 2002). This is increasingly

In other words Social Penetration Theory is a process in which a person reveals themselves to another person. The theory is that people reveal themselves in layers of bits of information. Disclosing things such as; layer one- age, job, hometown; layer two- musical interest, hobbies, religion; layer three- fears, values, self-esteem. The speed at which people do this depends on a variety of factors including your attachment style (pg. 61). The attachment test tells me I'm dismissive, I agree. I am often told I have no emotions. It doesn't bother me to hear that because it is somewhat true. I am not the type to be very forward or lay all my cards on the table. People have to pull off a lot of layers to get to know the real me. I put up a guard because I was hurt once. In the time it took to get over it I believe I lost all feelings towards emotional relationships. I do have feelings I'm just not willing to open up to people and let them see. I hardly ever cry (ever) and if I do

Applying theory and understanding to social support is significant however; it is a broad concept which may limit our understanding of psychological stress. An examination of peer support will provide a detailed review and in-depth understanding of the relationship between social support and psychological

The first communication studies class I took, besides public speaking, was Introduction to Communication Theory (COM 200) at Eastern Arizona College. This course provided me with the determination to stick with my degree and fueled the passion I already felt for observing communication patterns around me. I was particularly fascinated by the theories describing the process of building relationships. Social penetration theory, is of particular interest to me as it attempts to predict the outcome of a relationship based on the beginning stages of self-disclosure (Griffin, 2012). Social penetration assumes that an appropriate breadth and depth of disclosure determine relational success (Houser, 2014). Social Penetration Theory works closely with Social Exchange Theory, in that self-disclosure happens when perceived benefits outweigh the costs. Though Social Penetration Theory deals exclusively with

Social support constitutes the psychological and material resources provided by a social network to benefit an individual's ability to cope with stressful events. The perceived ability of social support may protect against the potential of stressful events to elicit psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. Cohen asserted that possible explanation for the buffering effect of being hugged is that hugs might be exchanged between individuals involved in a situation involving tension and conflict either as a means of resolving that conflict or as a counter to associated emotional aftereffects (138). Cohen summarized that these findings suggest that people who regularly receive hugs are more protected than those who do not (144). Several

Meeting new people is a nerve wracking and undesirable situation for many people. Everyone is completely different and unique in their own way and invite interaction at their preferred frequency. Finding people who share common hobbies, desires, values etc. is a long and gradual process. How people build interpersonal relationships and develop a bond to each other is laid out in a proposed theory by Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor called the social penetration process. Social penetration can be defined as the process of developing deeper intimacy with another person through mutual self-disclosure and other forms of vulnerability (Griffin 97).

In serious cases, anxiety can happen where one feels guilty and sensitive for being distant and might feel like it's their fault when it isn’t. An individual with low self-concept will most likely have a non-satisfactory relationship and won’t seek new relationships (Fees et.al, 1999). Also, they have apprehension and fear of embarrassment in public which is related to decrease in interaction leading to loneliness (Fees et.al, 1999). Cognition is mental action of acquiring knowledge. Loneliness affects cognition in that one has decreased efficiency in mental processing with increased frustration and stress (Fees et.al, 1999). For social network, there was infrequent family visits and lack of friends wich again, leads back to less interaction so less use of social media and calling (Fees et.al, 1999). Most people in a long distance relationship feel lonely in the beginning because of missed physical comfort, but this goes away slowly over

Cohen, S., & McKay, G. (1984). Social support, stress and the buffering hypothesis: A theoretical analysis. Handbook of Psychology and Health, 4, 253-267.

The literature insists that must be detached several patterned types and facets of social support, and also to clarify the distinction between functions of support and their sources when there appear a strong match between the stressor type and the support function. In the same time, more improvements of the psychometric properties of support measures are need-ed. (as Schwarzer & Leppin, 1989, propose).

If one was asked to describe the social penetration theory, the best example would be an onion. Just as an onion requires its layers to be exposed to reach the core, social penetration requires a similar type of unraveling. The social penetration theory deals with the progressive disclosure of one’s true self to others and the world. Individuals have many layers that ultimately combine to form a shield that protects the true self at the core (Tang and Wang, 2012). In recent years social penetration has been examined through many virtual interactions due to the digital age. In a study conducted by Jih-Hsin Tang and Cheng-Chung Tang

The Social Penetration theory focuses on the development of relationships causing interpersonal communication changes from non-intimate to more intimate and deeper

During times of distress, many of us choose to turn to a friend willing to lend an ear. This airing of grievances can feel therapeutic, allowing us to get out all of our heavy emotions and thoughts. It also creates room for a new perspective of a friend who can offer advice, support, or the affirmations we crave. However, when we are unable to move past the distressing circumstances, this communication can quickly progress into co-rumination. This occurs when friends become fixated on a problem and the accompanying negative thoughts and emotions making them incapable of coming to an acceptable conclusion of the topic. This maladaptive behavior results in two distinct outcomes: bonding and increased closeness between friends, and increased difficulties