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Access Type
Open Access
Document Type
thesis
Degree Program
Psychology
Degree Name
Thesis (M.S.)
Year Degree Awarded
1971
Abstract
Theory. Self-disclosure occurs when an individual fully, honestly, and spontaneously reveals his self (i.e. his subjective side; what he thinks, believes, wants, fantasizes about, and worries about) to another person. When selfdisclosure occurs several things happen. The person being disclosed to becomes aware of the discloser's needs, how similar or dissimilar he is to him, and how much he either accords with or deviates from the discloser's moral standards. Also, a basis for empathy is formed and the Interpersonal interaction moves toward becoming a non-manipulative , mutual relationship (Jourard 196^). As Jourard feels, self-disclosure is not only a symptom of mental health, but also a means by which to attain it. It would seem that the fostering of self-disclosure in a client would be a natural goal of psychotherapy, and we find that this is indeed the case. Freud attempted to bring about self-disclosure on the part of his clients in a roundabout intellectual fashion by means of free association and dream interpretation.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/tx3q-8w69