THE FIVE FACTORS OF PERSONALITY AND INTERPERSONAL ...

concluded that individuals high in extraversion were more competent at initiating
romantic relationships through the use of nonverbal behavior
Self-disclosure
According to Taylor and Altman (1987), self-disclosure is a vhal component of
safisfying relationships. Self-disclosure refers to the sharing of personal information to
other people (Chelune, Suhan, & Williams, 1980). It is a crucial modalhy of
communication among relationship partners and the primary process by which intimacy
and closeness are achieved (Hendrick, 1981; Taylor & Ahman, 1987) Self-disclosure
also serves to decrease psychological distance between relationship partners (Jourard,
1971).
Chelune, Sultan, and Williams (1980) investigated how willingness to selfdisclose
and disclosure flexibility are related to loneliness Female subjects completed
questionnaires which assessed loneliness, social introversion, and frequency of social
activities. The subjects also completed the Self-Disclosure Situation Survey (SDSS,
Chelune, 1976). This survey assessed willingness to self-disclose across 20 social
situations. In addhion to this willingness score, subjects were also given a flexibility
score that reflects the deviation of willingness from SDSS norms That is, greater
flexibility represents less appropriate self-disclosure Further, the subjects were observed
and recorded while interacting with a male confederate. Observer and self-ratings of
social skills were obtained following the interaction The resuhs indicated that greater
41