New Communication Technologies and Self-Disclosure: Do Broadcast Disclosures Have a Uniform Impact Across One’s Social Network?

• In Event: Self Disclosure in Social Media

Abstract

Social network websites (SNSs) have made it increasing possible to broadcast self-disclosure to some or all of a user’s connections in the network—ranging from close friends to distant acquaintances. Drawing from social penetration theory and research on negativity/positivity effects, two studies were conducted to test the notion that the interpersonal and relational outcomes of such broadcasts are not uniform. The results of the cross-sectional survey offer evidence that responses to positive and negative broadcast disclosures vary based on the receiver’s perceived closeness to the discloser. The findings from the experiment further demonstrate that positive broadcast disclosures have a relatively more beneficial impact among close friends, whereas negative broadcast disclosures have a relatively more detrimental impact among acquaintances.

Authors

• Steve Rains, U of Arizona

• Steven Brunner, University of Arizona