Social Penetration Theory

Abstract

Social penetration theory describes the role of disclosure in relationship development, focusing specifically on how self-disclosure functions in developing relationships. The onion model serves as a framework for describing the process of social penetration. In developing relationships, people use self-disclosure to increase intimacy including through breadth, depth, and the norm of reciprocity. Social penetration progresses through several stages to develop relationships. The theory also incorporates rewards and costs in relation to social penetration and has influenced the development of a number of theories in relationship development and information management.