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Chapter 10:

Disclosure and Privacy

Inter-Act, 13th Edition

Chapter Objectives2

Discuss the dialectic of disclosure and privacyExplain the theory of communication privacy

management (CPM)List the factors that affect people’s disclosure and

privacy rulesExplain how disclosure and privacy affect relationshipsDiscuss the effects of technology on privacy boundariesDescribe how to give and ask for personal feedback,

both praise and constructive criticism

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Self-Disclosure

Revealing confidential or secret information

Privacy

Withholding personal information to enhance autonomy or minimize vulnerability

The Disclosure–Privacy Dialectic 4

The tension between sharing personal information and keeping personal information confidential – also called the openness and closedness dialectic; each person has different expectations; these needs and expectations often vary over time

Communication Privacy Management Theory

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CPM: provides a framework for understanding the decision-making process people use to manage disclosure and privacy

Rules designed to maximize benefits of disclosure while minimizing risks

We negotiate rules with our partner or we simply assume that our partner understands what rules apply

Petronio’s 5 Disclosure Principles6

1. Private information is “owned” and people believe they have the right to control it.

2. Control is accomplished through privacy rules.3. When private information is disclosed, the

recipient becomes co-owner of the information.4. Third-party access concerns

Permeability: how much can be told Linkage: who else can know Ownership: who makes third-party disclosure

5. We are likely to encounter boundary turbulence, privacy violations, intrusions, and dilemmas.

Factors in CPM Theory Rules7

Culture Individualistic cultures value privacy

more than collectivist cultures. Americans tend to disclose more than

most cultures.Gender

Men tend to disclose less: “strong and silent” type.

Women tend to disclose more: “nurturing and sensitive” type.

Factors in CPM Theory Rules8

Motivation Disclose more to people we know or want

to know May disclose secrets of those we don’t like Risk–benefit analysis: weigh the

advantages/disadvantages of disclosingContext

Influenced by circumstances (ex: disclose to a “professional”; may “tell” when one is in danger

Disclosure during stress contributes to he

Effects on Relationships9

Intimacy We cycle between periods of deep disclosure and attempts

to reestablish privacy boundaries; controls relationship dev. Disclosing secrets may damage/end relationship; opting for

privacy may preserve intimacy, avoid conflict, protect feelings.

Reciprocity Partners don’t disclose at the same time/rate.

Information Co-ownership Disclosing to a third party may damage trust. Families co-own info. and est. rules (personal, legal,

financial)

Appropriate Self-Disclosure•Self-disclose the kind of information you want others to disclose to you.•Self-disclose more intimate information only when you believe the disclosure represents an acceptable risk.•Continue intimate self-disclosure only if it is reciprocated.

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• Move self-disclosure to deeper levels gradually.

• Reserve intimate or very personal self-disclosure for ongoing relationships.

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Reciprocalself-disclosure

has the greatestpositive effects.

Skills for Self-Disclosure and Privacy Management

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Owning Crediting yourself for feelings and opinions Making “I” statements

Describing behavior Recounting specific behaviors without drawing

conclusionsDisclosing feelings

Owning and explaining emotions

Owning13

Examples: “Lots of boys wet the bed.”/ “I was a bed wetter.” “Everybody thinks Colin is unfair.”/ “Colin hurt my

feelings with his criticism, which I perceived as unfair.”

“Nobody likes to be laughed at.”/ “Being laughed at embarrasses me.”

“Jon is a flirt.”/ “Jon has been flirting with me.”

Describing Behavior14

Identify the overall impression you are experiencing.

Recall the specific behaviors that led to the impression.

Form a message to report only what you have seen or heard without drawing a conclusion about the behaviors.

Describing Behavior15

Examples: “I really messed up when I was in high school handing

around with gang bangers and generally acting like a tough guy.” (evaluative and vague)

“My freshman year in high school I began partying with a local gang. My grades dropped, I was arrested for shoplifting, and I got kicked off the football team. So instead of going to college on an athletic scholarship, I’m working my way through community college.” (specific without drawing conclusions; focuses on the behavior)

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Describing Feelings

Explaining emotions one feels in a precise and unemotional manner

Displaying Feelings

Showing emotions through facial reactions, body language, or paralanguage

Disclosing Feelings17

Increases the likelihood of having a positive interaction with someone rather than an argument, and it decreases the chances of provoking defensiveness

“I feel…” doesn’t guarantee you will end up actually describing a feeling, but may end up evaluating, labeling, or blaming someone Identify what triggered the feelings Identify the particular emotion you are

experiencing Use an “I feel..” followed by naming the specific

feelingBecome comfortable with describing positive

feelings before trying to describe negative feelings effectively

Protecting Privacy18

Making a conscious decision to withhold information or feelings from others Change the subject. Mask feelings. Tell a “white lie.” Describe your feelings. Establish personal boundaries.

Asking for Feedback19

Think of feedback as in your best interest.Be prepared for an honest response. Guidelines:

Specify the kind of feedback you are seeking. Avoid loaded questions. Try to avoid negative verbal and nonverbal

reactions to feedback. Paraphrase what you hear. Show gratitude for the feedback.

Giving Personal Feedback20

Praising Recounting

specific behaviors oraccomplishments

of another and their positive

effectson others

ConstructiveCriticism Diplomaticallydescribes the

specific negativebehaviors of

anotherand their effects

Praising21

When we keep our positive impressions of our partners private, we deprive them of self-concept enhancing info that encourages them to repeat the behaviors we think are praiseworthy

Guidelines: Make note of the specific behavior you wish to

reinforce Describe the specific behavior Describe the positive feelings or outcomes you or

others experienced as a result Phrase your response so that the level of praise

appropriately reflects the significance of the behavior

Giving Constructive Criticism22

Begin by asking your partner’s permission to disclose negative feedback.

Preface a negative statement with a positive one.

Describe the problematic behavior by following guidelines for describing behavior.

Be as specific as possible.Suggest how the person can change the

behavior.

Effects of Social Media on Privacy23

Social media and cell phone use in public blur the distinction between public and private communication.

Social media and the Internet are changing what people view as private and public.

THE BIG BANG THEORY“THE TANGERINE FACTOR” S1 ,E17

DISCUSSION:HOW DOES PENNY REACT?HOW WOULD YOU REACT?

HOW DOES PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU READ ABOUT FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK IMPACT YOUR PERCEPTION OF THEM?

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Awareness of Audience

Warranting Theory25

We use Facebook pages to create perceptions of others: Tags Posts Blog comments

Warranting theory: We find behaviors of others more credible when it cannot be easily manipulated by the person whom it describes.

Digitally Managing Your Personal Information

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Do not carry on private phone conversations in public places.

Do not post information online that you would not want your employers, enemies, or identity thieves to see.

Be aware that others can digitally alter your digital image.

Use social media privacy settings.

WHAT IS ON YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT?IN THE WRONG HANDS YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT CAN BE VERY REVEALING. SEE

TAKETHISLOLLIPOP.COM

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Too much self-disclosure?

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE USED OUR FACEBOOK LINGO IN OUR FACE -TO -FACE

CONVERSATIONS:HTTP: / /WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=EG-

STKTWXUA

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How Facebook has changed our conversations