This past week, Paxton Hicks, a first-year graduate student and former undergraduate research assistant and lab manager of the FF-PTG Lab, presented a step-back presentation regarding his current thesis project on the depenetration processes of self-disclosure.
Paxton began his presentation by informing the lab of the existing research on the topic of self-disclosure. He found that in the literature surrounding this topic, self-disclosure has been defined as the deliberate process of conveying personal information to another person. He also explained that the term intimacy can describe both the information that one presents to another person as well as the relationship between two people. Additionally, Paxton noted that value (privacy of the information shared) and quality (depth of an interpersonal relationship) play important roles in intimacy.
Paxton went on to describe the Social Penetration Theory, which is a model that divides the process of sharing information with another person into three levels or rings. The outer ring represents the superficial level and includes information such as names and interests. The middle ring is the intimate level and includes one’s opinions and beliefs. The inner ring is the core and includes a person’s fears, concerns, and negative aspects. The Social Penetration Theory also includes the idea that breadth, or the amount of topics within each ring, and depth, or the intimacy of the topics presented at each level, change depending on the differing levels. Breadth tends to decrease and depth begins to increase the more you work toward the “core” level.
Paxton mentioned that there has been significantly less research conducted on depenetration processes when compared to the information available about penetration processes. In other words, the existing literature has focused more heavily on how people get closer in relationships and friendships rather than how people pull away from their relationships and friendships. Paxton intends to expand the knowledge that currently exists regarding the topic of depenetration through his thesis project.
In his presentation, Paxton informed the lab of the hypotheses and methods related to his upcoming study. He asked important questions regarding the possible improvements that could be made to his plan and measures. The lab thoroughly discussed the project as if it was their own while Paxton took a “step back” and listened to and took note of his fellow lab members’ comments.
We are looking forward to seeing Paxton begin this new research project and work on his thesis in the upcoming months! We will continue to provide updates regarding this project as the research process continues.
FF-TIP LAB 