Communication Theories

Social Penetration Theory is an interpersonal communication theory that was developed by Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor. Acoording to Social Penetration Theory, also known as SPT, a couple becomes closer to one another through self-disclosure. They start off on a superficial level, for example they share basic information about themselves such as age, height, weight, etc., and they move to a more intimate level, where they share their thoughts and feelings and past experiences. To self-disclose means to reveal more about oneself, both consciously and unconsciously. By self-disclosing, a couple becomes vulnerable to one another which allows them to feel closer to one another.

SPT is known for its analogy to an onion. There are two key terms in SPT, breadth and depth. Breadth refers to the number of topics disclosed, and depth refers to how deeply one covers a topic about oneself. The onion analogy is used to describe the depth aspect of SPT. In other words, you can peel off layers of an onion and keep exposing another, deeper layer, just like you can share a piece of impersonal information (the surface layer), and then share another, more personal layer of information, and so on (also known as penetration). Examples of private information include beliefs, faith, and prejudices, and the inner core of the onion, the most intimate information, includes values, self-concept, and emotions.

SPT works on a rewards and costs system. If a self-disclosure session is deemed satisfactory, then one looks at the person or relationship in a positive way and one will look at it in terms or rewards and benefits. But, if a self-disclosure session is deemed unsatisfactory, then one looks at the person or relationship in a negative way and one will look at it in terms of what it costs him or her. People do not necessarily think about how they weigh their relationships, it just happens depending on their interactions.

Some key points about SPT is that more impersonal information is exchanged more frequently in the beginning of the relationship, and self-disclosure is reciprocal. Penetration (exposing the layers) happens quickly in the beginning but also slows down quickly once one reaches the inner layers. Lastly, depenetration is a gradual withdrawal.

Reference:

Professor Mullin, University of California, Santa Barbara