Development of Intimate Relationships

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iours are accompanied by
subjective, interpersonal perceptions as to what the other communicant is like.

Altman and Taylor (1973) also point out that many factors work along side communication to hinder or influence
the formation of relationships. They put these into three classes. The first is the personal characteristics of the
participants involved in the interaction. The looks, personality and social needs of each person in an interaction
will influence how they manage the interaction. The second is the outcome of the exchange as to whether the
participants liked one another or if they feel there is something to be gained from the relationship. The third and
last is the situational context which will dictate whether the participants are free to enter or leave a relationship, or
whether they are forced to maintain a tie because of social constraints.

Within the theory, Altman and Taylor (1973) make two hypotheses. The first hypothesis is "that interpersonal
exchange gradually progresses over time from superficial, nonintimate areas to more intimate, deeper layers of the
selves of the social actors. That people are generally believed to let others know them gradually" (Altman &
Taylor, 1973, p 10). This hypothesis postulates an 'onion skin' structure of personality. This suggests that a person
has a series of layers to their personality. The outer layers are thought to hold the more physical characteristics
(such as looks), while the inner layers hold aspects of personality. It is the social penetration process that people
use to gradually and systematically move from the outer to the inner layers of personality and finally to the core or
'real' person.

When a relationship is developing, more and more layers of personality are stripped away and intimacy (defined
as the degree of union with or openness towards another person) is said to increase as a result. Altman and
Taylor (1973) point to self disclosure ...