The Role of Self-Disclosure in Relationship Escalation

Self-disclosure, the act of sharing personal information, is essential for the development of intimate relationships. Extensive research consistently suggests that deep self-disclosure boosts attraction and liking. This chapter delves into self-disclosure&s;s influence on relationship escalation toward greater intimacy. We investigate how self-disclosure forecasts relationship progression, with a focus on underlying mechanisms, such as the appropriateness, reciprocity, partner responsiveness, and attribution to self-disclosure. Given the widespread integration of communication technologies (e.g., texting, email, social media) in interpersonal dynamics, a particular focus of our chapter will be the mechanisms and effects of self-disclosure in technology-mediated environments.