Adapted by: Dr Shaheen-ul-Zaman

Guidelines to Self-Disclosure
What is Self-Disclosure

 Transferring information from the hidden self

to the open self
 Can be consciously or unconsciously done
 Includes disclosing information about others
which will impact oneself
 Irreversible
Factors Affecting Self-Disclosure

1. Who We Are – our personality

Ex. i. introverted/extroverted,
ii. Confidence
iii. The more social a person is, the more likely
they will self-disclose
2. Culture – different cultures have different views
on self-disclosure, and the topics you disclose
about
Ex. masculine versus feminine cultures
(the showing of emotions) 
Factors Affecting Self-Disclosure

3. Gender – the male and female psyche are

inherently different
ex. women tend to disclose more than men
4. The Listener –
i. The number of listeners (generally, the more
listeners, the less willing to self-disclose)
ii. the relationship with the listener/listeners
iii. liking those with whom you self-disclose
iv. the dyadic effect
Factors Affecting Self-Disclosure

5. Topic – certain topics are more

“taboo” than others.
6. Channel of Communication –
actually affects our willingness to self-
disclose
Ex. Online versus face-to-face
 
Risks

a. Revealing too much -“knowledge is

power”-people can use information for other
purposes
b. Rejection/Loss of Self-Confidence -people
might not support or like what you disclose
about yourself
c. Material Loss - sensitive information, if
revealed, can cause a person to lose his job,
status, ranking, etc.
Rewards

1. Self-Knowledge/Understanding - gain insight and

a new perspective on oneself
2. Coping with Problems - lighten the “burden” of a
problem - support/advice coming from others helps
3. Improving Communication with Others- the more
we understand the other person, the better we can
communicate with them
4. Establish Meaningful Relationships- self-
disclosing shows trust to that person, while
listening to the other shows respect and care
Guidelines for Self-Disclosing

1. Making Self-Disclosures
2. Responding to Disclosures
3. Resisting Pressure to Self-
Disclose
1. Making Disclosures

RAB-OP Approach
 Reason – examine own motivations
 Appropriateness – is the context,
relationship, time and place appropriate?
 Burdens – consider the burdens the
disclosure might cause you or the listener
 Other Person - give others a chance to
reciprocate with their own disclosures 
2.Responding to Disclosures

HELBR Approach
Hush – keep disclosures confidential
Encourage – express support for the person
Listen – listen actively, with empathy and with
an open mind
(don’t) Blackmail – don’t use disclosure against
the other
Respond – reciprocate by also disclosing
3.Resisting Pressure to Self-Disclose

RIA Approach
 Resist – don’t get pushed into saying
something you don’t want to
 Indirect – change the topic and avoid
questions that prompt you to self-disclose
 Assert Position – directly but respectfully
refuse