Intergroup Interaction and Self‐Disclosure¹

Abstract

Two studies were designed to test hypotheses concerning self‐disclosure during initial interactions with ingroup or outgroup strangers. Based on intergroup anxiety theory it was predicted that ingroup members would disclose less to outgroup strangers than to ingroup strangers. One study involved interaction with handicapped and nonhandicapped confederates and one involved interaction with Caucasian and Black confederates. It was found that on some dimensions there was less self‐disclosure to outgroup than ingroup strangers during initial interactions. Additional data suggested that high levels of public self‐awareness and perceived dissimilarity also reduced some aspects of self‐disclosure.