Disclosure Reciprocity: Conceptual and Measurement Issues

Progress in understanding processes of disclosure exchange has been hindered by confusion about the conceptualization and measurement of disclosure reciprocity. To clarify the issues involved, distinctions are made among three definitions of reciprocity: equivalent exchange, covariant exchange, and turn-taking. A distinction is also made between individuals and dyads as units of analysis, and implications for assessing reciprocity are explored. An additional distinction is made among differing time frames over which reciprocity may occur; it is argued that Altman's (1973) predictions may be qualified by trading in futures. While the analysis is focused on disclosure exchange, it has implications for research on social exchange processes, relationship development, and dyadic interaction more generally.