Selfdisclosure

Self-disclosure is the voluntary sharing of personal information, thoughts, feelings, experiences, and preferences that are not readily apparent to others. It occurs in interpersonal interactions and can range from casual to intimate, with disclosures targeting specific topics and audiences.

The concept is central to theories of interpersonal communication. Social Penetration Theory posits that relationships develop through gradual self-disclosure along two dimensions—depth (how intimate the information is) and breadth (the range of topics). As disclosure increases, trust and intimacy may deepen, though reciprocity is common: more disclosure by one person often invites disclosure by others. The Johari window model illustrates how self-knowledge expands as others provide feedback.

Contexts and outcomes: Self-disclosure supports relationship formation, social support, and psychotherapy, but excessive or inappropriate disclosure can lead to embarrassment, rejection, or privacy loss. In online environments, self-disclosure is amplified and often curated, with risks related to privacy, misrepresentation, and data use, yet it can also foster connection and community.

Influencing factors include cultural norms (for example, collectivist versus individualist tendencies), situational context, relationship closeness, safety, trust, personality, and gender. Ethical considerations in research and practice emphasize consent, confidentiality, and respect for boundaries, since disclosure can have lasting personal impact.