Analysis of Social Penetration Theory in Communication Studies Course

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of the Social Penetration Theory, a framework developed by Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor in 1973. It explains the theory's core concept of self-disclosure as a process resembling peeling layers of an onion, where individuals gradually reveal more about themselves as relationships progress. The essay outlines the four stages of self-disclosure: orientation, exploratory affective, affective, and stable stages, detailing the communication patterns and levels of intimacy associated with each. Additionally, the essay presents a personal experience illustrating the theory's application in forming a friendship. The author acknowledges the theory's limitations in addressing the complexities of human behavior but highlights its value in understanding communication and relationship development. The essay concludes by referencing key sources that support the discussion on social penetration theory.

Running head: COMMUNICATION
Introduction to Communication Studies
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s note

1COMMUNICATION
Abstract
In this report, a detailed discussion has been carried out explaining the theory of social
penetration, which was coined in the year 1973 by social psychologists, Irwin Altman and
Dalmas Taylor. The stages of the self disclosure are explained and the assumptions of the theory
have also been identified in this report along with a personal experience.

2COMMUNICATION
Introduction
Communication can be of two types based on who an individual is communicating with
firstly interpersonal and the other is intrapersonal. Any communication process is two ways,
there is a message that is being sent and received. This is the basic structure in which
communication process works. One of the purposes of communication is getting to know a
person better, whether it is a family member or a colleague at the office etc. People share
perspectives, ideas, experiences, information and by doing so they get to know each other well
and develop a relationship around the communication that they have. It is not possible for a
person to know another individual at the very first meeting. There are various layers to the
personality of an individual which does not showcase at the first time slowly and steadily when
two people get to know each other better and understand each other’s perspective only then the
layers in the personality start showing. According to Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor this
succession from on the surface of personal layers or levels of communication is the social
penetration theory, it is also known as the Onion Theory owing to the look of the model which
resembles an onion (Ruppel, 2015, pp. 667-686 ). It states that the personality of an individual is
like the layers of the onion that are peeled one by one with the progression of a relationship
which is mostly based on communication. The social penetration theory explains the
development of a relation.

3COMMUNICATION
About the theory
According to the onion theory, people are scared of what they are unaware of. For
example, horror movies are based on this theory, the emotion of fear is tapped by the portrayal of
something that is unknown in these movies. The fear is not only limited to things or events it also
includes people. People start the journey of knowing each other and building a relationship from
being a stranger to being a friend, companion, and guide, partner etc. this transition a series of
steps through communications and interactions. The assumptions which guide this theory are the
development of a relationship is a methodical and predictable process (Ruppel, 2015, pp. 667-
686 ).
Stages of self disclosure
There are two aspects of self-disclosure that are explained in this theory breadth and
depth. Breadth is the several facets of the life of an individual, for example, job, family, society,
culture, community, hobbies and passion. Depth explains the details concerning each of these
aspects that have been stated. There are four stages that occur in the process of self-disclosure:
1. Orientation Stage — this is the stage of the first impression. The type of communication that
takes place in this stage is more like small talks exchanging non-intimate information regarding
each other. Some of the common factors are observing mannerisms and dressing sense etc.
2. Exploratory Affective Stage — communication at this stage becomes more and more
opinioned and people start revealing their perspective to topics like sports or politics. The
relation is at a casual level (Volkova & Bachrach, 2015, pp. 726-736).

4COMMUNICATION
3. Affective Stage — Slowly at this stage the communication between two individuals start
taking a more personal turn. As there is a level of comfort that is observed at this point the
relationship starts taking shape.
4. Stable Stage — at this stage the relation in between two people is well established and they
understand and can also predict each other’s behavior (Volkova & Bachrach, 2015, pp. 726-736).
Personal experience
When I had joined college I did not know my best friend, we first meet on the day of
orientation and started talking, I found out that most of our subjects were similar and that gave
me an idea about our preferences. As most of the people were unfamiliar we started talking and
hanging out more and more. This helped in developing the friendship and understanding we
share with each other today.
Conclusion
The theory is appropriate till a point that it does not specify the complexities of human
behavior, it presumes that a person is going to behave in a predictable manner. But the theory
helps in identifying and setting a base in the field of communication and relationship
development.

5COMMUNICATION
Reference list:
Ruppel, E. K. (2015). Use of communication technologies in romantic relationships: Self-
disclosure and the role of relationship development. Journal of Social and Personal
Relationships, 32(5), 667-686.
Volkova & Bachrach. (2015). On predicting sociodemographic traits and emotions from
communications in social networks and their implications to online self-disclosure.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking , 726-736.
Bibliography:
Altman, I., & Taylor, D. (1973). Social penetration theory. New York: Holt, Rinehart &\Mnston.
Croucher, S. M. (2015). Understanding Communication Theory: A Beginner's Guide. Routledge.