Effects of self-disclosure role on liking, closeness, and other impressions in get-acquainted interactions

Listeners reported more liking after the first interaction; the difference disappeared after both participants had taken both roles.

Sprecher, S., Treger, S. & Wondra, J. D. (2013). Effects of self-disclosure role on liking, closeness, and other impressions in get-acquainted interactions. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30(4), 497–514.

Type

Journal article

Find it

doi.org/10.1177/0265407512459033

Checked

Against the abstract, 16 September 2026

Why it is on the list

Pairs of unacquainted undergraduates completed a structured self-disclosure task in which one was randomly assigned to disclose while the other listened, and then the pair switched roles for a second interaction. After the first interaction, listeners reported more liking and other positive interpersonal impressions than disclosers did. Those differences disappeared after the roles were swapped. Listening was also associated with greater perceived similarity.

Week 9 uses the role swap to discuss reciprocity: the two participants’ impressions changed when each had taken both turns. It is a reason to attend to who gets to disclose and who gets to listen. The study does not test the course’s plus-or-minus-one rule.