The effects of similarity and dissimilarity of sexual attitudes on willingness to self-disclose

Effects of attitudinal similarity and permissiveness on patterns of self-disclosure willingness were evaluated within the framework of a 2 x 3 x 3 factorial design with two levels of similarity and three levels of permissiveness as. between-subjects variables and three topics as a within-subjects variable. Subjects were administered a sexual attitude questionnaire and classified as to permissiveness level. In the second session subjects received bogus partner sexual attitude profiles constructed to be either similar or dissimilar to attitudes they had expressed. On the basis of these profiles, subjects rated their attraction toward bogus partners and indicated topic-items they would be willing to discuss with their partners. Topic-items comprised separate Sex, Family, and Feeling disclosure scales. It was hypothesized that similarity would be positively related to attraction and disclosure willingness. It was specifically hypothesized that attraction would be more highly correlated with disclosure willingness in the face of disagreement than agreement and at high intimacy levels than at low levels. Attraction was found to be positively related to attitudinal similarity but not to disclosure willingness. There was no significant similarity effect on disclosure willingness. In the overall analysis of variance for disclosure willingness there were no main effects or interactions involving similarity, permissiveness or topic. A review of the literature relating attitudinal similarity and attraction to disclosure is included as is a discussion of the mixed evidence for topical reciprocity of disclosure. Variables to include in further research concerning patterns of self-disclosure are suggested.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1975

Author dc:creator

• Moore, John Thomas

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/109867

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/109867