Reciprocity of Self-Disclosure: Breakdowns of Trust in Cross-Racial Dyads

The reciprocity effect (self-disclosure by Person A to Person B resulting in B's self-disclosure to A) was explored in the context of biracial counseling interviews to determine if disclosure by a White therapist would facilitate a Black client's self-disclosure. Thirty-three Black women interviewed with a female therapist whom they believed to be either White or Black and who exhibited either high or low levels of self-disclosure. A reciprocity effect was obtained for Black therapists, but a reciprocity breakdown was obtained with White therapists (higher therapist disclosure led to no greater client disclosure). Five explanations for reciprocity breakdowns were considered, and the findings seemed most congruent with a trust explanation.