Schröder, Janeke (2022) “My Life is a Question Mark. My Future is a Question Mark.”: Using Emotional Self-Disclosures to Pursue Intimacy in Speed-Dating Interactions. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Intimacy is crucial for high-quality relationships. Most current research focuses on individuals’ subjective perception of intimacy. The present paper aimed to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the concept by focusing on its performance aspect. In this context, intimacy was understood as a process of behaviors that are performed in interactions and can be directly observed. The two key factors of intimacy construction are self-disclosures of personally relevant information and responsive partner behavior. A qualitative content analysis of 56 speed-dating conversations of 16 same-sex attracted men was conducted to investigate patterns of intimacy construction in emerging interpersonal relationships. Identity claims containing emotional self-disclosures were identified and extracted together with the context in which they occurred. A sample of 30 excerpts of conversations was analyzed in terms of how interaction partners dealt with emotional self-disclosures. It was observed that in most of the cases individuals did not reciprocate self-disclosures – especially when they contained negative or vulnerable content. Self-disclosures were more likely to be met with responsiveness if they were positive or neutral. Shared experiences or interests promoted intimacy construction. Concluding, emotional self-disclosures in initial encounters arguably only had a beneficial effect on intimacy construction, given that they were relatively easy to deal with. This entails theoretical and practical implications, like a sensible use of self-disclosures in clinical practice. Further research is needed to verify the presented observations in different contexts and samples.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Gmelin, J.H. and Klavina, L. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Aug 2022 10:28 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Aug 2022 10:28 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1296 |
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