Deck 10: Social Penetration Theory

Question 1

As a "stage" theory, Social Penetration Theory (SPT) believes relationship development occurs in a(n)

A) social exchange manner
B) systematic fashion
C) unpredictable way
D) romantic trajectory

Answer 1

systematic fashion

Question 2

The "stranger on the train" phenomenon is an example of

A) nonstrategic disclosure
B) social penetration
C) strategic disclosure
D) affective exchange

Answer 2

nonstrategic disclosure

Question 3

Which of the following assumptions of Social Penetration Theory is NOT correctly stated?

A) Relational development includes depenetration and dissolution.
B) Relational development is generally systematic and predictable.
C) Relationships progress from interpersonal to intimate.
D) Self-disclosure is at the core of relational development.

Answer 3

Relationships progress from interpersonal to intimate.

Question 4

The fact that SPT has spurred hundreds of studies on a variety of relationships means that it is a highly ___________ theory.

A) useful
B) consistent
C) broad
D) heuristic

Question 5

All of the following statements about self-disclosure are true EXCEPT

A) Self-disclosure is not necessary to move nonintimate relationships toward intimacy.
B) Self-disclosure can be strategic, which means that disclosures are planned.
C) Self-disclosure can be nonstrategic, which means that disclosures are spontaneous.
D) Self-disclosure sometimes occurs with strangers in public places.

Question 6

Social penetration includes verbal, nonverbal, and __________ behaviors.

A) affective
B) well intentioned
C) environmentally oriented
D) reciprocal

Question 7

The term used to refer to the degree of intimacy of the topics discussed in a relationship is

A) quantity
B) depth
C) quality
D) breadth

Question 8

As relationships move toward intimacy, there is _________ breadth in disclosure and _________ depth in disclosure.

A) more; less
B) more; more
C) less; more
D) less; less

Question 9

All of the following are representative of an individual's public image EXCEPT

A) sex
B) race
C) political orientation
D) height

Question 10

In what stage do partners start to feel willing to engage in criticisms because they are not typically viewed as a threat to the relationship?

A) orientation
B) exploratory affective exchange
C) affective exchange
D) stable exchange

Question 11

Which of the following statements about rewards and costs in relationships is most accurate?

A) Costs stimulate positive feelings.
B) A reward/cost ratio is often calculated to determine the balance between positive and negative relationship experiences.
C) If a relationship produces more costs than rewards, it is likely to continue.
D) Rewards and costs have a greater impact later on in the relationship compared to earlier.

Question 12

The stage of social penetration at which individuals make quick decisions about communication with little regard to the relationship as a whole is the _________ stage.

A) orientation
B) exploratory affective
C) affective exchange
D) stable exchange

Question 13

Julianne and Ricardo have reached the point in their relationship at which they openly express their thoughts and feelings with one another. Their communication is viewed as being efficient. Which stage of social penetration describes the current state of their relationship?

A) orientation
B) exploratory affective
C) affective exchange
D) stable exchange

Question 14

Critics of Social Penetration Theory are concerned about the possibility that __________ may be too narrowly defined.

A) stages of relational development
B) self-disclosure
C) the onion as representing personality
D) rewards and costs

Question 15

During which stage of the relationship do the individuals' personalities begin to emerge?

A) orientation
B) exploratory affective exchange
C) affective exchange
D) stable exchange

Question 16

With which communication tradition is SPT most closely associated?

A) interpersonal
B) socio-cultural
C) phenomenological
D) socio-psychological

Question 17

_____ are violations of relational rules, practices, and expectations.

A) Depenetrations
B) Transgressions
C) Reciprocities
D) Social exchanges

Question 18

Dyadic uniqueness emerges in the affective exchange stage of social penetration.

Question 19

Relationships with a reservoir of positive reward/cost experiences are better equipped to handle conflict.

Question 20

The greater the depth of disclosure, the fewer opportunities there are for an individual to be concerned about feeling vulnerable in the relationship.

Question 21

Social penetration views relationships as being dynamic and changing.

Question 22

Relational communication begins at a superficial level and gets less personal as the relationship progresses.

Question 23

Most relationships reach the stable exchange level.

Question 24

The rate of penetration depends, to a large extent, on the number of relationship rewards available to a communicator.

Question 25

Depenetration always leads to relational dissolution.

Question 26

We can be highly self-disclosive to another person, but not reveal too much personal and significant information about ourselves.

Question 27

Individuals in the affective exchange stage may begin to form private ways of expressing a relationship's intimacy, known as personal idioms.

Question 28

Describe the concept of self-disclosure and its dimensions of breadth and depth. Discuss the role of self-disclosure in developing relationships.

Question 29

Explain how costs and rewards factor into the process of social penetration. How do we use rewards and costs to make decisions about the future of a relationship?

Question 30

Identify and describe the four stages in the process of social penetration. Provide an example of a relationship (real or fictional) that evolved through the social penetration process. Describe the communication changes that took place during these four stages.

Question 31

Describe the processes of depenetration and dissolution. What role does communication play in each of these processes?

Question 32

Evaluate Social Penetration Theory using our standard criteria for theory evaluation discussed in Chapter 3.

Question 33

Apply at least two concepts of Social Penetration Theory to an office relationship. Be sure to describe the features of the relationship and how SPT principles apply to that relationship.

Question 34

Discuss the potential for intercultural influences on Social Penetration Theory. Do you think culture is a variable that has the potential to influence this theory? Why or why not?

Question 35

Compare and contrast Social Penetration Theory with any other theory we have discussed that deals with interpersonal relationship development. How are these two theories similar? How are they different? Do you think one is better than the other? Why or why not?

Question 36

Discuss various times when we should be cautious in our self-disclosures. Why should self-disclosure be used sparingly in these instances? What are unique about these situations as opposed to our intimate relationships with our family, friends, or romantic partners?

Question 37

Select two of the assumptions of SPT to define and discuss. In what ways have you experienced the phenomena they describe? Have you had any relational experiences that seem to contradict these assumptions?

Question 38

How would you use SPT to research some aspect of relational development? Provide a hypothesis or research question and describe the study you would conduct to gain insight into this phenomenon.