Assignment 1: Self-Disclosure in Relationships

In this assignment, you examine the concept and role of self-disclosure in same-sex friendship and opposite-sex friendship. Researchers maintain that self-disclosure is the most important way to establish a close relationship with another person.

Prepare for this discussion by researching self-disclosure in friendships using the Argosy University online library resources and the Internet.

Think about a friendship you have with a friend of the same sex and a friendship you have with a friend of the opposite sex. Compare the levels of self-disclosure in these two types of friendships.

Respond to the following:

• Analyze the level of self-disclosure in the same-sex friendship in relation to the level in the opposite-sex friendship.
• Compare and contrast the differences between the two. Provide support to justify your response, referring to examples, theories, and research from your text and other readings.
• Propose what methods you can use to establish a common thread of mutual trust and respect that binds the friendship, regardless of differences in gender.

Post your responses in one or two paragraphs.