Body disclosure and self-disclosure-relating two modes of interpersonal encounter

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between body-disclosure and self-disclosure. The author drew upon current research in self-disclosure and body image and hypothesized that self-disclosure and body-disclosure would be directly related. Ss who volunteered for the experiment were matched for sex, past disclosure, and willingness to disclose to someone of the opposite sex. A social nudity experience was provided for one group, an outing day was provided for the second group, and a third group recieved no treatment. Testing included a tape recorded self-disclosure dialogue and ratings of self- and body attitudes. Finally, the Ss were asked to write their subjective "experience of the experiment." Ss who had undergone a body-disclosure experience disclosed more to each other than did Ss in the other groups. Ss also tended to like themselves better after the social nudity experience. Furthermore, they described the body-disclosing day as a peak experience.