Question

A man sitting next to you in your doctor’s waiting room strikes up a conversation with you. Although you do not know this man and don’t reveal much about yourself, he tells you all about some very personal aspects of his life. What might an expert on self-disclosure research say about this interaction

Answer 1

Question options:

A. It is unusual because people typically don't self-disclose when in an anxiety-provoking situation, such as in a doctor's office.

B. It is unusual because it violates society's rules for the way social interaction is supposed to progress.

C. It is typical of the way people use self-disclosure to get to know one another.

D. This is typical in that men usually disclose more than women.

Answer:

B. it is unusual because it violates society's rules for the way social interaction is supposed to progress

Explanation:

Self-disclosure refers to communication process whereby a person discloses or reveals information about themselves to another person such as during an introduction or any other form. Information transferred via this process may be descriptive or evaluative, can also include such things as: thoughts, feelings, aspirations, goals, failures, successes, fears, and dreams etc.

An expert would see the above case as unusual however since it is not a norm in society to begin to tell personal stuff to a person who could be considered a total stranger.