A Multidimensional Look at Sex and Target Differences in Disclosure

The roles of sex and target differences in behavioral samples of disclosure were examined using a multidimensional procedure for five major parameters: amount, intimacy, rate, affective manner of presentation, and self-disclosure flexibility. Females did not disclose a greater percentage of information than males but did disclose more intimate information and at a higher rate than did males. Significant differences in affective manner of presentation and rate of disclosure were also demonstrated between interview conditions. The multidimensional assessment of disclosure in terms of basic parameters seemed to allow a more meaningful and systematic explanation of the effects of independent variables upon self-disclosure within the context of specific relationships and settings than previous single dimensional approaches.