Social Penetration Theory
"The more we talk, the more I get to know you."
This could probably be the main idea behind the S.P. Theory.
Imagine yourself as an onion, and I as the wedge. We're in a party and we don't know each other. I come up to you and in order for me to get to know you , I'd, of course, talk to you. Ask you what's your name, where do you come from, and how old are you. After answering these questions, you begin to open yourself up to me, consciously or unconsciously. But not totally open, since it's our first time knowing each other. This is what we can call, casual friendship. When one knows a few basic things about the other. Now I know you, but not know know you.
Then the conversation goes on, and we'll start talking about personal things, private ones like your lovelife, opinions on this and that , etc. Thus making me, the wedge, penetrate you, the onion, more. I, as the wedge, am slowly going through your layers, knowing you more and more as the conversation goes on.
This could continue, but there could also be a time when this could stop. When the onion doesn't want to reveal some more of it's layers then the penetration stops. I, the wedge, could not go in any deeper, but I had made quite a deep opening through the onion, so technically I could go through the layers easily compared to the getting to know you stage.
This is could be quite dangerous if the wedge has a different motive. If the wedge has bad motives, then the onion is in danger because it has opened itself to the wedge. But with extra precautions, this could likely happen. The onion just has to be sensitive enough, and know whether the wedge is going too fast.
Another example comes from my experience during the Christmas Break.
During the Christmas break, I had the chance to meet new friends, whether their friends of friends or friends of the family. One new friend of mine is Rosanne Claire. Rosanne hails from the Great Down Under (Australia), specifically Queensland. We met during the Christmas Party of my Grandfather's workers. The reason why she was there is because her mom used to work for my Grandfather, and they're here in the Philippines to celebrate Christmas. She just graduated from high school, and is planning to major in New Media. Her dance troupe back in Australia usually performs Philippine Folk Dances like Tinikling and the like.
How did I manage to get all of this info?
Simple, I asked her. I wanted to get to know her more, and so I asked. Luckily for me, she didn't hesitate on answering my questions. Yes, the questions are really basic. But I know I've penetrated through her onion already. It might not be deep, but at least my wedge is there. Too bad she's leaving this weekend, I could've asked her more questions. Not only about herself, but also about Australia.
This is Social Penetration Theory.
I ask, you answer. My wedge penetrates, your onion opens.
Rosanne's the girl in black. and the rest of them are my cousins. :)
|
posted by Unknown at 
