Critique of Social Penetration Theory

Irwin Altman & Dalmas Taylor

Summary

Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor created Social Penetration Theory as a means to describe human relationships. The depth and breadth of self-disclosure plays a big role in the process of relationship development and depenetration. The process of the theory includes general four observations that were made. One, everyday chitchat such as the weather or television comes sooner and more frequently than the discussion of private matters. Two, once one person self-discloses to another the other will do the same at an equal level. Three, penetration is very fast in the beginning of a relationship but dies down quickly once more in-depth issues are discussed. And four, depenetration is when a person withdraws from a relationship layer by layer. Altman and Taylor used the scientific approach to quantify their findings when they observed these four hypotheses. The influence of Thibaut and Kelley's Social Exchange Theory is apparent in Altman and Taylor's approach to rewards and costs as the means to explain relationships. The greater than and less than equations of the theory are very helpful in the analysis of the costs and rewards of a relationship. Of course, people are more prone to stay in relationships where they gain more than they lose and Social Penetration Theory states this hypothesis.

Critique

To determine whether or not I felt that Social Penetration theory is valid, I put it through the Five Steps of Scientific Validity Criteria. The 5 steps involved are:
1. Explanation of data.
2. Prediction of future events.
3. Relative simplicity.
4. Hypotheses that can be tested.
5. Practical utility. For the first step, Social Penetration Theory does explain the behaviors that people experience when forming a relationship. By stating that people form or avoid relationships by the costs and benefits involved, Altman and Taylor explain why people become involved while focusing our attention on the important aspects. The four observations they made also explain the behaviors of relationships. Social Penetration Theory makes it pretty easy to predict what will happen in a relationship. If the costs outweigh the rewards, a person will end the relationship and move on; however, if the rewards are greater than the costs, the relationship and the depth of self-disclosure will probably continue. The theory is definitely easy to understand. Who would not be able to understand the theory with only three variables and the four hypotheses involved? As with the test for simplicity, the fourth step is easily followed by the theory. The four statements that Altman and Taylor make plus the cost-reward model are all testable hypotheses. Of course the theory is practical. Its simplicity makes it easy to understand for whoever reads it.

Michelle's Thoughts

I understand this theory very well because of its directness and simplicity. There are not that many different aspects that have to be considered when applying the theory to real life. It is pretty much cut and dry. I usually am not of the scientific nature, but I can see the validity this theory has in the real world. When I put it through the process of the Validity Criteria, in my opinion, it passed all five steps. The only thing that makes me wonder is the fact that relationships tend to be more complex than the simplicity of Altman and Taylor. Maybe the theory should be examined from a more humanistic view. I might not like all aspects of the theory, but I basically feel it is a relevant theory. I have experienced this theory at work first hand. When I first met my fiancée we developed a very close friendship before we started dating. I slowly revealed stuff about myself and he slowly started revealing stuff about himself. Slowly but surely we developed a very close friendship and eventually developed into something much more (obviously!). To this day we keep up the levels of self-disclosure that is necessary for our relationship to work and stay great. I think this example is exactly how Taylor and Altman want people to see and understand Social Penetration Theory.

Links!

Click here to connect back to my group's Introduction Page in order to find out more about Social Penetration Theory.
Derek Rinehart applies the theory to his life and discusses it on his page.
Cari Porter researched an interesting article on Social Penetration and provides a great view if it.

If you would like more information on communication theories, view Judith Lee's INCO 234 Home Page.



Created By: Michelle Shafer
Last Updated: November 15, 1999



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