"Knowing Me, Knowing You" Self-Disclosure: Gender Gap Analysis

Abstract

Self-disclosure, the unique sharing of information about oneself which would not otherwise be known, is examined in the following discussion. While knowledge of same-sex and mixed-sex disclosures are valuable, this research is restricted to the examination of mixed-sex disclosure. The Johari Window is used as a tool to facilitate the understanding of self- awareness as it relates to disclosure. Gender differences are examined to illuminate how mixed-sex orientations alter the self-disclosure process. The research tests the assumption that in mixed-sex disclosures men disclose less and seek control, whereas women disclose more and attempt to uncover feelings. The impact of gender on disclosure is measured by early sex-role orientation, parental teaching, language, socialization, and genetics. Finally, the results are then filtered through the factors of self-disclosure revealing the rewards and risks of mixed-sex self-disclosure.