Reflection on Interpersonal Communication Within the Framework of the Social Penetration Theory

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Table of Contents

Introduction
A Personal Experience
Conclusion

Introduction

Interpersonal communication is one of the most important and main processes in the life of every person. By communicating, an individual acquires new knowledge and ideas, exchanges opinions and judgments, and establishes and develops contacts between other people and groups. For instance, the theory of social penetration gives deeper and expanded concepts about the interaction processes between two personalities and the stages of their relationship development. However, the simplest and best way to reveal this topic is a first-person narrative followed by theoretical explanations. The discussion of my own experience within the framework of the social penetration theory will be presented in this essay.

A Personal Experience

Primarily, it is necessary to identify the basic key points affected by the social penetration theory. This theory is based on principles indicating facts and assumptions about the contacts of two people whose relationship is in the process of development. This scientific concept aims to analyze and explain the factors and phenomena that directly affect the development or deterioration of interpersonal relationships. Moreover, it separates the stages of establishing connections and defines the breadth, depth, and degree of proximity.

The theory states that the development of relationships occurs mainly through self-disclosure or intentional “confession” of personal information, such as individual motives, desires, feelings, and experiences. Accordingly, as the relationship with my other half developed, I noticed how I began to share personal impressions that I hid from outsiders after a while. At the beginning of our acquaintance, we most often communicated on everyday, ordinary topics and only indirectly touched on, for example, past aspects. Then, after a few months of spending time together and long-term communication, we began to share our own experiences, ups and downs, bright or unpleasant moments that we did not share even with our relatives. Consequently, through such self-disclosure, the development of relations followed an unusual trajectory, the transition from the surface layers to more intimate ones. Therefore, disclosing one’s feelings, emotions, and impressions is the theory’s “building block.” Anyway, this concept is not just a way to get a loved one, but also to deepen the relationship with a person, to understand and grasp the way of thinking, worldview, and views on certain points.

It should be noted that too quick and personal disclosure creates an imbalance in the relationship, which can be unpleasant. Hence, the strengthening and deepening of relations is a gradual process that must correspond to certain stages of information disclosure. It is quite difficult to say how much time this process will take because it proceeds differently for each person. For instance, when watching a movie together, a loved one or I begin to involuntarily express our own opinions and judgments about certain events, phenomena, actions, and deeds of the main and minor characters. In the course of such “interpersonal communication,” a person’s political and religious views, ethical and moral attitudes to various aspects can be shed into the light. This process allows each other to gradually “reveal their soul” without disturbing the balance of the system of building deeper, intimate connections.

In general, according to the theory, relationships also develop in terms of predictable results. Each of the personalities guesses about the probable outcome and makes efforts to find the balance correctly. Hence, finding it allows not to disrupt the smooth course of evolution of the connections, but at the same time not to bring the relationship with the person to the stage of “regression.” As a rule, a man and a woman perfectly understand why they go on dates and exchange messages through social networks. Approximately, in the same way, one can build the opposite assumption. For example, when we quarreled with the other half, each of us realized that the repetition of such cases could lead to fatal and irreversible consequences. Unfortunately, there is still no “magic formula” that can largely bring the relationship to a specific stage. It only takes time and space for self-disclosure to become the key to promoting the development of relationships. This element is decisive, and often this method allows people to open up to the fullest, begin to trust each other, appreciate and respect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, any communication and stages of relationship development have their subtleties and peculiarities, as well as those facets that one cannot imagine. Therefore, social penetration theory provides comprehensive and in-depth knowledge about the structure and system of relations, their construction and development stages, and the speed of certain interpersonal processes. Hence, based on my own experience, it can be noted that the key and most important aspects affect certain phases of the connection between two people. For example, the relationship between me and my loved one was based on the same principles and concepts of the theory. We revealed ourselves and shared our experience and knowledge about specific moments, listened to the opinions of each of the parties, and drew particular conclusions for ourselves. Our relationship was formed under the influence of certain “turning points” without disturbing the balance of establishing intimacy and closeness in the connection.

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Reflection on Interpersonal Communication Within the Framework of the Social Penetration Theory

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