Paul G. Banikiotes

Interpersonal attraction and rewarding aspects of disclosure content and level.

The relationship between self-disclosure and interpersonal attraction was viewed within the context of theories of social penetration and social exchange. The effects of similarity of disclosure level and similarity in content of disclosure on interpersonal attraction were assessed. Specifically, 24 high-self-disclosing subjects and 24 low-self-disclosing subjects were presented with four bogus inventories manipulated on the variables of agreement in content and amount of disclosure. The reward potential of various factors within the disclosure process were measured by the subjects attraction to these four hypothetical strangers. Results indicated that along with amount of disclosure, similarity in the content of the disclosed material and similarity between the subjects and anothers level of disclosure had a positive influence on attraction.

Androgyny and Initial Interpersonal Attraction

54 undergraduate subjects, designated as androgynous or stereotyped by scores on the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), rated their perception of four BSRI protocols contrived to represent androgynous and stereotyped males and females. Results supported the similarity hypothesis for attraction to protocols when similarity was defined in terms of sex role orientation as derived from the BSRI.

Gender and Sex-Role Orientation Effects on Friendship Choice

This investigation explored the impact of gender and sex-role orientation upon the differences in description of ideal same-sex and other sex friends. It was hypothesized that less difference in such description would exist: (I) for androgynous rather than sex-role stereotyped subjects; and (2)for female subjects rather than male subjects. Gender differences affected perceptions whereas sex-role orientation differences did not. This finding confirmed the second hypothesis with female Ss exhibiting significantly less difference in their description of ideal male and ideal female friends than male Ss. Implications of this finding for Bems (1979) reconceptualization of sex-role orientation were discussed.

Similarity in Level of Disclosure and Interpersonal Attraction

Self-disclosure has been found to be an important variable affecting the development of interpersonal relationships. It is related to reciprocity of disclosure as well as liking in the relationship developing process. Worthy, Gary and Kahn (1969) and Certner (1973) have found a positive relatioship between desclosure and liking. Cozby (1972), on the other hand, has provided evidence for a curvilinear relationship between liking and disclosure. Preference was shown for a hypothetical other who was at a middle level of disclosure. In the interpretation of the results of these various studies disclosure

Topic importance and proportion of item agreements as significant variables in interpersonal attraction

The proportion of item agreements between an individual and a hypothetical stranger represented by a test protocol has been repeatedly found to be a critical variable determining interpersonal attraction. Recent work, however, has indicated that the importance of the topic or item may also be of marked significance. The purpose of this investigation was to determine how Ss respond to hypothetical strangers on the basis of information differing in both importance and proportion. Both these variables were found to have a significant effect in determining attraction.

Interpersonal attraction, topic importance, and proportion of item agreements

The program of research initiated by Byrne (1961) has repeatedly demonstrated that the proportion of item agreements between an individual and a hypothetical stranger represented by a test protocol is the most critical variable determining interpersonal attraction. The importance of the topic or item has only received occasional support as a determining factor. The purpose of this investigation was to contrast the effect of topic importance with the effect of proportion of item agreements as they relate to interpersonal attraction. The results of this study indicate that the effect of topic importance may be greater than had previously been thought.

LEVEL AND FLEXIBILITY OF SELF-DISCLOSURE

Two contrasting methods of examining self-disclosure have focused on different aspects of this variable. Jourard and Lasakow (3) studied level, i.e., how much is disclosed, whereas Chelune (2) assessed flexibility of disclosure across different situations and targets. The Jourard Self-disclosure Questionnaire (3) and the Self-disclosure Situation Survey (2) have been the primary measures of these two variables, respectively. It was the primary purpose of this study to examine the interrelationship becween indices of level and flexibility of disclosure derived from these rwo instruments. Subjects were 98 male and 30 female undergraduates (mean age = 19.8 yr., range 18 to 23 yr.) who completed Chelunes 20-item survey (M = 3.67, SD = 1.28) and a modified version of Jourards 60-item questionna~re for the targets of strangers, acquaintances, and close friends. No differences in gender were observed so data for males and females were combined. Each instrument was scored for both level and flexibility of disclosure. For Chelunes survey, the typical flexibility score was used, i.e., the standard deviation across items, as well as the over-all level of disclosure. For Jourards questionnaire, the over-all level of disclosure across targets was used as well as two measures of flexibility. Content flexibility was a difference score becween scores on items in the content areas of high and low intimacy. The target flexibility score was computed as a standard deviation across the disclosure targets. Pearson correlations were computed for the two measures of disclosure level and the three of disclosure flexibility. Significant relationships were observed between: Jourards level and target flexibility, r = .47, p < ,001; Jourards level and content flexibility, r = .25, p < .01; Chelunes level and flexibility, s = -.20, P < :0,5; Chelunes level and Jourards target flexibility, r = -.17, p < .05; Chelunes flex~b~l~ty and Jourards target flexibility, r = .28, p < .01. No significant relationships between measures of the following pairs of conceptually similar variables were also observed: Jourards and Chelunes levels; Jourards content flexibility and target flexibility; Jou;atdSs content flexibility and Chelunes flexibility. The small magnitude of variance accounted for even when significant correlations were observed raises concerns about Jourards and Chelunes measures as the same variables. The effectiveness of using self-report pencil-and-paper measures to assess aspects of self-disclosure is uncertain. Closer attention to studying specific aspects of target, content, and situational contexts of self-disclosure appears warranted.

Measurement of self-disclosure: note on format and content of items.

Jourards 40-item self-disclosure instrument requires responses from Ss concerning reported past disclosure and/or willingness for future disclosure. A 48-item self-disclosure inventory was developed in which a respondent provided actual disclosure. Scores on this inventory for actual disclosure were related to scores on the Jourard past and future form for 83 Ss. The inventory for actual disclosure correlated significantly with the Jourard future form but not with the past form. Scores on past and future forms correlated significantly.

Disclosure Content-Disclosure Level and Interpersonal Attraction

those who disclosed at high or low levels. Byrne (1971) provided a vast amount of evidence for the positive relationship between similarities in attitudes and an individuals’ interpersonal attraction for others. One focus of the present study is to compare ain ’contrast the effects that various aspects of reinforcement contingencies have on interpersonal attraction for two groups differing in dislcosure level. Depending upon the manner in which these aspects are controlled, they may be competing or complementing each other in their effectiveness as social reinforcers. The hypotheses stress the importance of similarity between individuals both in terms of content of disclosure and level of disclosure: 1) Individuals are more attracted to others who are similar to them than to others who are dissimilar to them in their content of disclosure. 2) Individuals are more attracted to others who are similar to them than to others

Male and female perceptions of liberated vs conventional sex roles

Recently, much attention has been given to the role of women in society. The conventional role of the housewife-homemaker, existing solely for the needs of her husband and family, has fallen into disrepute in some quarters. At the same time, others have strongly come to the defense of this conventional role of the woman. They have expressed extreme displeasure at those who have accepted a liberated conception of this role. The arguments from both sides have been filled with emotion. Although the most vocal proponents of a liberated female role have been primarily women, some support for this position has been found within the male community. As the arguments have continued for the past several years, it seems that stereotypes of “conventional” and “liberated” women may have developed. At the same time, men supporting each of these positions may also have become viewed in a stereotyped fashion. It was the purpose of the current study to investigate individuals’ perceptions of both men and women expressing conventional and liberated views regarding the role of women in society. Further, differences in male and female perceptions of these stereotypes were studied.