Sex Differences In Self-disclosure Research Articles

Synaesthesia: The Prevalence of Atypical Cross-Modal Experiences

Sensory and cognitive mechanisms allow stimuli to be perceived with properties relating to sight, sound, touch, etc, and ensure, for example, that visual properties are perceived as visual experiences, rather than sounds, tastes, smells, etc. Theories of normal development can be informed by cases where this modularity breaks down, in a condition known as synaesthesia. Conventional wisdom has held that this occurs extremely rarely (0.05% of births) and affects women more than men. Here we present the first test of synaesthesia prevalence with sampling that does not rely on self-referral, and which uses objective tests to establish genuineness. We show that (a) the prevalence of synaesthesia is 88 times higher than previously assumed, (b) the most common variant is coloured days, (c) the most studied variant (grapheme-colour synaesthesia)--previously believed most common--is prevalent at 1%, and (d) there is no strong asymmetry in the distribution of synaesthesia across the sexes. Hence, we suggest that female biases reported earlier likely arose from (or were exaggerated by) sex differences in self-disclosure.

Self-Disclosure in Spouse and Stranger Interaction A Social Relations Analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine self-disclosure as both a personality trait and an interaction process. Forty men and women engaged in dyadic conversations with three same and three opposite-sex strangers and their spouses on each of three occasions. The conversations were coded for type of self-disclosure (descriptive vs. evaluative) and level of intimacy. The data were analyzed using Social Relations Analysis. The results of the study provided little support for individual differences in self-disclosure. In general, individuals were inconsistent in how much they self-disclosed to others and in how much self-disclosure they elicited from others. There were no sex differences in self-disclosure. There was qualified support for the process model of self-disclosure. The level of the relationship (spouse vs. stranger) affected self-disclosure, and self-disclosure was reciprocal for both spouses and strangers. However, there were no relationship differences in self-disclosure and self-disclosure was not related to liking.

Sex differences in self-disclosure: a meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis of 205 studies involving 23,702 Ss was conducted to determine whether there are sex differences in self-disclosure. Across these studies, women disclosed slightly more than men (d = .18). This effect size was not homogeneous across studies. Several moderator variables were found. Sex of target and the interaction effect of relationship to target and measure of self-disclosure moderated the effect of sex on self-disclosure. Sex differences in self-disclosure were significantly greater to female and same-sex partners than to opposite-sex or male partners. When the target had a relationship with the discloser (i.e., friend, parent, or spouse), women disclosed more than men regardless of whether self-disclosure was measured by self-report or observation. When the target was a stranger, men reported that they disclosed similarly to women; however, studies using observational measures of self-disclosure found that women disclosed more than men.

Sex differences in death anxiety: Testing the emotional expressiveness hypothesis

Abstract Several researchers have reported sex differences in death anxiety, but such differences have not been systematically investigated. This study attempts to test the generality of elevated death anxiety of women in a heterogeneous, racially mixed adult sample (h = 117). Moreover, we tested the viability of one explanation of this apparent gender difference. We statistically controlled for potential sex differences in self-disclosure or “social desirability” response bias. As predicted, women scored higher than men on the affectively oriented Death Anxiety Scale, but not on the more cognitively oriented Threat Index. However, in conflict with the emotional expressiveness hypothesis, this pattern of findings remained unchanged once we statistically controlled self-disclosure and social desirability. These findings suggest that sex differences in death attitudes are real rather than artifactual, and deserve more empirical study.

On sex differences in self-disclosure during the acquaintance process: The role of anticipated future interaction.

On sex differences in self-disclosure during the acquaintance process: The role of anticipated future interaction.

On sex differences in self-disclosure during the acquaintance process: The role of anticipated future interaction.

On sex differences in self-disclosure during the acquaintance process: The role of anticipated future interaction.

The effects of sex and sex-role concept on self-disclosure

Socialization into traditional sex-role concepts has been offered as an explanation of sex differences in self-disclosure. The present experiment tested a derivation of this hypothesis: Androgynous males would self-disclose more intimately than sex-typed males. A 2×2×2×2 factorial design was used with sex of subject, sex-role concept of subject, sex of target person, and disclosure level of target person as the independent variables. The results failed to demonstrate an overall difference between androgynous and sex-typed males, while significant sex differences and a strong reciprocity effect were obtained. With both male and female subjects, androgynous subjects did disclose more than sex-typed subjects when the target person had exhibited high disclosure. The findings are discussed in terms of two hypotheses: (1) compliance to a social norm regarding male disclosure to strangers; (2) flexibility of the disclosing behavior of androgynous subjects.

Sex differences in self-disclosure: Effects of topic content, friendship, and partner's sex

Male-female differences in self-disclosure were found as a function of sex stereotyping of topic content. Men disclosed less than women on “feminine” topics, which emphasized personal concerns and sensitivities. Men and women did not differ in disclosure on “neutral” topics, considered appropriate for both sexes to discuss. Men and women did not differ in disclosure on “masculine” topics (emphasizing assertiveness) in two of three experiments. Theoretical mechanisms that might mediate sex differences in self-disclosure were considered.

Blabbermouths and Clams: Sex Differences in Self-Disclosure in Same-Sex and Cross-Sex Friendship Dyads

Self-disclosure involves the two related dimensions of intimacy and power. It may be rewarding or costly to both confider and confidant. Although previous research has indicated that women are more self-disclosing than men, in the study reported here sex differences in self-disclosure are negligible in same-sex friendships. In cross-sex friendships, however, more men are confiding than women. Further, in female-male dyads men tend to hide their weaknesses and women to conceal their strengths. In such friendships, also, both men and women of working class origin are more prone to self-revelation than middle class respondents. Surprisingly, the correlation between feelings of closeness and self-disclosure is far from perfect in friendly (as opposed to stranger-like) relationships. Research on personal assessments of risks versus rewards in self-disclosure is needed.

Sex Differences in Self-Disclosure during an Interview.

"Sex Differences in Self-Disclosure during an Interview." The Journal of Social Psychology, 107(2), pp. 281–282

Self-disclosure in relation to psychotherapist expertise and ethnicity.

The self-disclosure styles of Mexican Americans and their possible role in the limited participation of Mexican Americans in mental health services were explored. Ninety-four Mexican American and 93 Anglo American junior college students listened to one of four therapist introductions, then responded to questionnaires designed to measure self disclosure and self acceptance. Both groups indicated a substantial willingness to disclose about themselves to therapists. Mexican Americans proved lower in self-disclosure scores than Anglo Americans. Mexican Americans were found to disclose less to Mexican American therapists than did Anglo Americans to Anglo American therapists. Sex differences in self-disclosure were negligible. Both Mexican Americans and Anglo Americans scored in the direction of high self-acceptance. The findings held for comparable socioeconomic levels.

Intimacy of disclosure topics and sex differences in self-disclosure

A 25-item self-disclosure questionnaire with items scaled for intimacy level was given to 32 male and 32 female college students. It was hypothesized that males would report disclosing less than females concerning intimate topics while there would be no sex differences in disclosure on nonintimate topics. The hypothesis was supported by the data. The results demonstrate that scoring self-disclosure scales by summing across all items can mask sex differences in disclosure patterns. Results are interpreted as supporting the assertions of several theorists that males reveal less personal information about themselves than do females.