In my Theories of Communication class, we learn and discuss various theories in communication with their approaches and assumptions. One theory that has caught my eye is the Social Penetration Theory. It examines relational closeness within people.
This theory interests me because it explores the different stages all of us as humans go through in relationships. The textbook definition for the Social Penetration Theory is it's a process of relationship bonding whereby individuals move from superficial communication to more intimate communication. It may not be a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, it could be a mother/child or brother/sister relationship that could be explored. The number of relationships we could explore are endless.
It's interesting to find out how things change in a relationship as it goes from the initial orientation stage, where you reveal some information about yourself to another person to stable exchange, when there's an establishment of a personal system or connection of communication. There's an increase in the level of intimacy as a relationship goes through each stage.
I've been thinking about this theory and decided I should do my final paper on it. We may not know it, but the social penetration theory plays into our lives in some way. One important aspect of it is the reward/cost ratio. This is the balance between positive and negative relationship experiences. Think about past relationships, friendship, a boyfriend or girlfriend. Was it beneficial or did it cost you in some type of fashion? When you think about that question, if you're in a relationship where the costs outweigh the rewards, would you stay in that relationship?
Social Penetration Theory is important when it comes to us and our way of evaluating relationships. Hopefully, we're all in relationships where we continue to be rewarded and to us, it would seem priceless.
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