1. Social Penetration theory
By: Amber Lowry

2. Social penetration
The process of bonding that moves a relationship from superficial to more intimate.
Intimacy involves more than physical intimacy, other dimensions of intimacy include intellectual and emotional, and the extent to which a couple share activities.
Social penetration process includes verbal behaviors, non-verbal behaviors, and environmentally oriented behaviors.
In spt, there is a known trajectory, also known as the pathway to closeness.

3. Assumptions of social penetration theory
The assumptions that guide spt are; Relationships progress from nonintimate to intimate.
Relational development is generally systematic and predictable.
Relational development includes depenetration and dissolution.
Self-disclosure is at the core of relationship development.

4. Theory application
This theory attempts to demonstrate through this chapter that relationships are predictable and somewhat routine in their development.
The spt assumptions pertain to predictability, organization, depenetration and dissolution.
To depenetrate means fall apart, or the slow deterioration of relationships.
Communication is a key component in relationships, it can not only allow a relationship to move forward, but it can also cause a relationship to move back toward nonintimacy.

5. Self-disclosure
Self-disclosure is at the core of relationship development. It can be defined as the purposeful process of revealing information about yourself to others.
Nonintimate relationships progress to intimate relationships because of self disclosure, it also helps shape the present and future relationship between two people, and “making the self accessible to another person is intrinsically gratifying!” (Altman & Taylor Pg. 171)
Examples of stranger-on-the-train; revealing personal information to strangers in public places.

6. “tearing up” the relationship: Onion Analogy 
Outer layer is an individuals public image, which is what’s available to others.
In a relationship, you need to have reciprocity, which is the return of openness from one person to another. In sharing “layers” you each need to have reciprocity.
Penetration can be viewed along two dimensions of self-disclosure: breadth and depth.
Breadth is the number of topics discussed in a relationship, and the depth is the degree of intimacy guiding topic discussion.

7. Social exchange: costs and rewards
THE REWARD/COST RATIO IS THE BALANCE BETWEEN POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE RELATIONSHIP EXPERIENCES.
REWARDS AND COSTS HAVE A GREATER IMPACT EARLY ON IN THE RELATIONSHIP THAN LATER IN THE RELATIONSHIP.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH A RESERVOIR OF POSITIVE REWARD/COST EXPERIENCES ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO HANDLE CONFLICT EFFECTIVELY.

8. SOCIAL PENETRATION STAGES
Orientation
THIS IS THE EARLIEST STAGE OF INTERACTION. It occurs at the public level, revealing BITS OF OURSELVES TO OTHERS.
During this stage there is little evaluation or criticism due to the possibility of jeopardizing future interactions.
Exploratory affective exchange
The expansion of the public areas of the self, this occurs when aspects of an individuals personality begin to emerge.
This stage hits when you become more comfortable and less cautious among one another.
More touch behavior and affection is displayed.

9. Stages continued…. Stable exchange: Raw honesty and intimacy
Affective exchange: commitment and comfortability
This stage is characterized by close friendships and intimate partners.
Represents further commitment to another individual, they become more comfortable with each other.
Spontaneous and comfort.
Personal idioms: during this stage, you’ll find individuals using this, which are private ways of expressing a relationship’s intimacy through words, phrases, or behaviors.
Stable exchange: Raw honesty and intimacy
Final stage pertains to an open expression of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that result in a high degree of spontaneity and feelings.
Partners become highly intimate and synchronized, they will be able to predict and assess each others behaviors quite accurately.

10. conclusion
Social penetration theory has been appealing since its beginning origin almost 40 years ago.
The social penetration theory is evaluated through scope and heurism
It is integrated from socio-psychological tradition, interpersonal context, and positivistic and empirical approach to knowing.

11. Work cited
West, Richard and h. turner, Lynn. Introduction to communication theory analysis and application. Fourth edition, chapter 10