What is self disclosure?

Monday, March 2, 2009

Self-disclosure is a simple (at least on the surface) approach to communication that involves sharing information about yourself, history, present, emotions and thoughts. Originated and explained by Sidney Jourard, a Humanistic Psychologist, this simple approach, at least used skillfully, can improve intimacy, rapport in face to face communication, and even improve public speaking and connecting with groups.

The concept is very simple. When you share information about yourself, you allow yourself to be "seen", and it's easier for people to relate to you as a real human being, with faults and strengths, and with thoughts and emotions. And, when people see you as human (and not someone easily depersonalized) communication, and relationships improve.

It's important to know that self-disclosure doesn't involve "dumping" everything about yourself on everyone from close friends to complete strangers. Obviously self-disclosure needs to happen in context, be appropriate for the particular relationships. While self-disclosure is important, remember that communication means sharing of information from both sides, and if you are inundating the other person with too much information about yourself, or information they really have no interest in, then the whole thing is going to backfire, because you will appear selfish and self-centered.

When speaking to groups (keynotes, meetings, speeches, public speaking), it's always a good tactic to share a little of yourself as a person, so you can overcome depersonalization barriers to group communication. Often the best way to self-disclose in groups is to tell a real personal story that is relevant to the reason why the group is meeting. That's much better than opening up with a stale joke.

source ; http://www.work911.com/
self disclosure on Psychology Journal

Self-Disclosures that are difficult

Self-Disclosures that are difficult on Psychology Journal

Although recognized that self-disclosure is very important for the development of the individual, but some people are still reluctant to do so. Basically the difficulty or reluctance to reveal the individual in a lot of self-based risk factors that will be received in the future, on the side because there is no sense of security and trust in yourself. Risk is damage information can be given to someone to third parties when the information is considered highly by the instructors of private information, or information can be presented thus offend other people so that they can disrupt interpersonal relationships that previously have been involved with both. In addition to the disclosure or the conditions are not right, there would be a boomerang for the granting of information. In addition to risk factors, pattern of care also factor plays an important role. In the family or environment that does not support the spirit of openness and information sharing practices so individuals can be difficult to reveal themselves appropriately. That is why some people are very difficult to share information with other people, once the information is also very positive for themselves and others.

Although the self-risk for the perpetrator (our information), but experts assume that the psychology of self-importance. This is the base that says that self-disclosure (which is done properly) is an indication of someone's mental health care. Research shows that individuals are able to reveal the exact self-evidently more able to adapt (adaptive), the more self-confident, more competent, extrovert, reliable, able to be more positive and confident person to another, more objective and open (David Johnson , 1981; in mentalhelp.net). In addition, experts also believe that the psychology share information with others can improve mental health, prevent disease and reduce the psychological issues related to the interpersonal relationship. In terms of communication and provision of assistance to others, one of the ways that it deems most appropriate in helping other people to reveal themselves is to reveal ourselves to the first. Without the courage to self disclosure then other people will act the same, so that is not achieved effective communication.

Self-Disclosures that are difficult on Psychology Journal

Self Disclosure

Self Disclosure on Psychology Journal

In social life in the community, individuals are often suspicious dirundung feeling confident and not so strong that does not dare to deliver a variety of emotional shock or that is in itself to others, especially when the things that deems not good to know other people. As a result, the individual keeps a lot more variety of life issues that often end too heavy to be alone, giving rise to various psychological and physiological problems. In the counseling room in this website, many readers who say that they are very difficult to reveal the self (the opinions, feelings, ideals, feeling angry, irritated, etc.) to other people, did not even share the information if not required / asked. It is interesting that they recognize that the condition is very uncomfortable and tend to make their dijauhi by colleagues or family members own. While on the one hand they feel unsure and afraid to reveal themselves, but on the other hand, they feel that it is necessary to alleviate the burden themselves.

self disclosure can be defined as the provision of information about themselves to others. The information provided can include things such as life experiences, feelings, emotions, opinions, ideals, and so forth. Disclosure must be based themselves with honesty and openness in providing information, or in other words what is presented to other people, let not a private or a mask of lies so pure that only show the good side only.

To answer the question why someone needs to inform other people about themselves, then it should be seen as a cycle that involves three (3) the self-disclosure, namely, relations of friendship and acceptance of self. The explanation Self Disclosure is as follows:

- It is a very good thing if you say to friends or others who interact with you how they can affect you. With the feeling of sharing experiences and then will be able to strengthen the relations of friendship.

- Acceptance of a friend or someone else will be easier for you to be able to accept the condition yourself.

- Because you can accept yourself and feel comfortable with the conditions, then you are easier to reveal themselves so that the relationship with your friend feel more comfortable.

- With input from various other people, a high sense of security, and acceptance of self, then you will be able to see themselves in more depth and able to complete the various problems of life.

Self Disclosure on Psychology Journal