Reciprocity matters in self-disclosure; we like people we disclose with, and we disclose more with people we like.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Not necessarily

Answer: (A)

In interpersonal communication, self-disclosure and liking reinforce each other. When we share personal details with someone, we signal trust and vulnerability, which often makes the other person feel closer to us. That warmth and responsiveness then encourage them to disclose in return, creating a positive feedback loop. As we learn more about someone through their disclosures, we tend to like them more, and that increased liking invites even more disclosure from us. So the statement that we like people we disclose with, and we disclose more with people we like, reflects a common pattern described by reciprocity in relationships. There are situations—such as concerns about safety, power dynamics, or cultural norms—where this pattern might not hold as strongly, but in typical social interactions, the reciprocal relationship between disclosure and liking is the norm.