Question 1

The process of intentionally telling another person personal information that they would have trouble finding out otherwise is referred to as ______.

Accepted Answer

Self-disclosure is the act of revealing personal information to someone else that they would not have learned if you had not told them. This can include thoughts, feelings, aspirations, and other personal details.

Question 2

Which statement is an example of self-disclosure?

Accepted Answer

Self-disclosure involves sharing personal feelings or experiences with others, which is exemplified by expressing nervousness before going to parties.

Question 3

People sometimes think of self-disclosure as a(n) ______ in which one person tells another something of consequence.

Accepted Answer

Self-disclosure is often considered an event because it involves a specific moment or occasion when one person reveals significant personal information to another.

Question 4

Rania tells her friend Victoria she's unhappy in her job. Over the course of several months, Rania slowly discloses her dreams of becoming a pilot. Which element of self-disclosure does this scenario most reflect?

Accepted Answer

The scenario illustrates that self-disclosure is a process, as Rania gradually shares her dreams over several months, rather than all at once.

Question 5

Lena knows she needs to tell her fiancé about the extent of her anxiety, but she is uncomfortable having such a serious conversation out of the blue. Instead, she decides to start the conversation in a light-hearted way. Lena's decision most reflects which element of self-disclosure?

Accepted Answer

Lena's deliberate choice to start the conversation in a specific manner indicates intentionality in how she chooses to disclose her feelings, reflecting the aspect of self-disclosure that involves deliberate decision-making about how and when to reveal personal information.

Question 6

The parts of ourselves that we present to others are ______.

Accepted Answer

The parts of ourselves that we present to others are public information.

Question 7

In the "life as theater" metaphor, where is private information kept?

Accepted Answer

In the "life as theater" metaphor, private information is kept "backstage." This metaphor suggests that individuals have a public persona ("onstage") where they perform for others, and a private area ("backstage") where they prepare and keep information not meant for the public eye.

Question 8

Lulu feels comfortable telling only her best friend, Magda, about her fear of dogs. Magda is Lulu's ______.

Accepted Answer

Magda is Lulu's emotional communicator because Lulu feels comfortable sharing her fears and emotions with Magda, indicating a deep level of emotional communication and trust in their relationship.

Question 9

Information that sounds personal but is easy for the speaker to share is known as ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Information that sounds personal but is easy...

Question 10

True self-disclosure, or ______, involves risk on the part of the teller.

Accepted Answer

The answer of True self-disclosure, or ______, involves risk on...

Question 11

"I'm so glad I finally told my mother about my thoughts. It's like a huge weight has come off me, and I feel so much better," says Brian. Brian is likely experiencing ______.

Accepted Answer

Brian's statement indicates a sense of relief and emotional release after sharing his thoughts, which is the definition of catharsis.

Question 12

"Pat and I were so happy to reveal that our adoption went through while we were with family. It made the good news so much more enjoyable," says Lindsay. Lindsay is experiencing ______.

Accepted Answer

Lindsay is experiencing capitalization, which is the process of sharing positive events with others to increase one's positive emotions. Sharing good news with family and enjoying their reactions amplifies her happiness.

Question 13

Sidney Jourard's 1959 statement that self-disclosure promotes ______ was largely ignored at the time but has since been proven true.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sidney Jourard's 1959 statement that self-disclosure promotes...

Question 14

Ahmed didn't realize he wanted to go back to school until he was telling Sonia about his new interest in accounting. Ahmed is experiencing which benefit of self-disclosure?

Accepted Answer

Self-disclosure can lead to increased self-awareness as individuals may discover new feelings, interests, or aspects of their identity through the process of sharing their thoughts and experiences with others. In Ahmed's case, talking about his new interest in accounting helped him realize his desire to return to school, illustrating how self-disclosure can enhance one's understanding of themselves.

Question 15

Nedelka and Jim spent their first volunteer shift together organizing boxes. They got along right away, but they felt like they suddenly became friends after they each admitted to secretly enjoying organizing things. Nedelka and Jim are experiencing which benefit of self-disclosure?

Accepted Answer

Self-disclosure often serves as a means to initiate new relationships by sharing personal information, which can lead to discovering common interests and forming connections, as seen with Nedelka and Jim.

Question 16

Which revelation represents an attempt to use self-disclosure to escalate a relationship?

Accepted Answer

Revealing deep romantic feelings on a third date is an attempt to escalate a relationship by sharing intimate emotions, aiming to deepen the connection.

Question 17

Which is a reason that people choose to keep information private?

Accepted Answer

Choosing to keep information private can be a strategy to avoid rejection by others, as sharing certain personal details might lead to negative judgments or exclusion.

Question 18

We will likely keep information a secret if we believe it will cause someone to ______ us.

Accepted Answer

We often keep information secret if we believe revealing it might lead to rejection from others, as we fear negative judgment or loss of acceptance.

Question 19

Research suggests that discussing problems with their friends, also called ______, can increase the risk of depression in adolescents.

Accepted Answer

Co-rumination, which involves excessively discussing personal problems within a dyadic relationship, can lead to an increase in the risk of depression among adolescents. This process often reinforces negative feelings and thoughts, contributing to depressive symptoms.

Question 20

Jared decides not to tell his friend Madeleine that he's going on a hunting trip, since he knows how she feels about hunting. He thinks it would only damage their friendship. Jared is choosing not to self-disclose in order to ______.

Accepted Answer

Jared is choosing not to self-disclose his plans to go on a hunting trip to Madeleine because he wants to protect their friendship, knowing that the topic of hunting is sensitive to her.

Quiz 8: Sharing Personal Information