CAPS #6

Self-Disclosure as a Turning Point

            All relationships, including intercultural relationships, experience turning points that alter the relationship.  Martin and Nakayama explain that in the interpretive approach to communicating in relationships one of the major turning points is self-disclosure (p. 400).  Self-disclosure is the sharing of personal information with others.  Different cultures have different comfort levels concerning self-disclosure, as highlighted by Martin and Nakayama in the differences between international and U.S. students forming friendships (p. 403).  Self-disclosure as a turning point can help to define the future of a relationship, so it is important to be aware of this when building intercultural relationships.

            Mikulencer and Nachshon identified three self-disclosure classifications among Israeli students so that each student falls into the category of “secure, avoidant, and ambivalent attachment groups” (1991).  They found that a “secure or ambivalent” person was more attracted to a high-disclosure person in relationships (Mikulencer and Nachshon, 1991).  A 2006 study by Baxter and Bullis found that each person in a romantic relationship perceives turning points within the relationship differently.  They also found that each kind of turning point resulted in a different level of relationship communication between partners (2006).

            When these two studies are used together, it becomes clear that matching partners based on self-disclosure comfort level does not necessarily guarantee an intercultural relationship that has effective communication.  In order for the relationship to strengthen through the turning point, it is necessary for communication about self-disclosure to be a focus for both partners.  Being aware of this necessity will be valuable for us all as we develop intercultural relationships.

References:

Martin, Judith N. and Nakayama, Thomas K. (2010). Intercultural Communication in Contexts.  5^th Edition. McGraw-Hill.

Baxter, Leslie A. and Bullis, Connie. (Online March 2006). “Turning Points in Developing Romantic Relationships”. Human Communication Research. Volume 12, Issue 4. June 1986.

Mikulencer, Mario, and Nachshon, Orna. (1991). “Attachment Styles and Patterns of Self-Disclosure”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Volume 61:2.