THE EFFECTS OF SIMILARITY AND ACTUAL LEVELS OF SELF-DISCLOSURE AND SELF-DISCLOSURE FLEXIBIITY ON PERCEPTIONS OF INTERPERSONAL ATTRACTION AND ADJUSTMENT

Fifty-two subjects, high or low in levels of self-disclosure and disclosure flexibility, were selected (from a larger sample of 139) to test the effects of similarity and actual levels of disclosure and disclosure flexibility on perceptions of interpersonal attraction and social adjustment. Subjects rated protocols contrived to be similar! dissimilar in disclosure and in disclosure flexibility levels to that of the subject. Results generally confirmed the hypotheses and found: 1) a similarity effect for disclosure flexibility. 2) highest adjustment ratings for medium-high disclosure and high disclosure flexibility protocols; 3) actual disclosure level as a more potent determinant of perceived adjustment and attraction than was similarity in disclosure level; and 4) no discrimination of judgments by individuals low in disclosure flexibility.