ABSTRACT

This chapter offers a strategic perspective on self-disclosure by highlighting the motivations and means by which people manage the disclosure of information in personal and in work ­relationships. It focuses on two facets of disclosure in these contexts: self-disclosure in the development of relationships and the factors affecting self-disclosure. The chapter describes the nature and function of self-disclosure in the work environment and identifies factors affecting the revelation of personal information at work. It discusses the dialectical theories and then examines self-disclosure's role in initiating, maintaining, and dissolving personal relationships. Individuals must weigh the potential rewards (personal, relational, and professional) against the potential risks in making decisions regarding self-disclosure. Self-disclosure serves important functions in relationship initiation, development, maintenance, and even dissolution. Self-disclosure plays a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of work relationships. The chapter concludes with a description of the role of disclosure in non-relational contexts.