Communications and Media

Social penetration theory was formulated by Altman and Taylor in 1973 to explain the development of closeness in human relations. The theory suggests that closeness develops through the a gradual course of reviewing oneself and as the relationships grows, communication shifts from superficial and not intimate stage to deep and more private matters. This process of reviewing oneself occurs through a number of stages that evolve from a stage in which we reveal few details about ourselves, to a stage when we share vulnerability develops that we share personal details about us as the relationships become more intimate (changingminds.org, n.d)

Scholars describe these stages to occur in five categories in the orientation stage, we reveal flimsy details about ourselves.  The next stage is the exploratory affective stage in which we disclose personal views about certain topics but not the complete truth. In the next level called the affective stage, personal issues are disclosed at this stage as we become comfortable with others. The fourth stage is characterized by sharing of emotions and personal information. In the last stage called the depenetration stage, there may be a breakdown of the relationship when the rewards of the relationships are less than the cost of maintaining the relationship. At this stage, there is no further disclosure. The process of reviewing oneself can occur either with or without our awareness. The theory uses the analogy of an onion to further elaborate the aspect of our personality (Changingminds.org, n.d). Just as when peeling onions inner layers are exposed, our personality also occurs in layers ranging from the outer layer in which any one can describe to inner surface layers that conceal our private details like values, emotions and beliefs. The deepest core consists of our private realm of who we are. The theory also observes that the amount of self revelation is different between cultures.
Since the field of communications involves forming a lot of interpersonal relationships, the theory is of great significance to this field as it can help one in forming and building relationships. For example, when forming a relationship, it is important to note the stages of self revelation and one should not force or rush things up. Understanding of this theory can also help one to draw boundaries of how fast and to what extent to get into a relationship.