Which type of men tend to rely more on interactions with women to engage in self-disclosure?

• A. Androgynous men
• B. Expressive men
• C. Instrumental men
• D. Men who are shy

Answer: (C)

Self-disclosure in relationships often depends on how a person is oriented toward emotions and interactions. Instrumental men are typically more task-focused and less naturally comfortable with emotional sharing. In conversations with women, who are usually socialized to be more relational and attuned listeners, these men may find a safer, more supportive space to open up. The female conversational style can cue them that sharing personal thoughts will be welcomed and useful for solving problems or coordinating efforts, so they rely on those interactions to engage in self-disclosure.

In contrast, expressive men tend to disclose more readily across different partners, shy men may avoid disclosure regardless of context, and androgynous men blend traits that don’t center their disclosure needs specifically on interactions with women. So the pattern that best fits the scenario—where disclosure increases in the presence of a relational, supportive female conversational partner—fits instrumental men.