<P> Because of social media sites like Facebook, the breadth of subjects can be wide, as well as the depth of those using the platforms . Users of these platforms seem to feel obligated to share simple information as was listed by Pennington, but also highly personal information that can now be considered general knowledge . Because of social media platforms and user's willingness to share personal information, the law of reciprocity is thrown out the window in favor of divulging personal information to countless followers / friends without them sharing the same level of vulnerability in return . In cases like this, there is depth without much breadth . </P> <P> Several factors can affect the amount of self - disclosure between partners: gender, race, religion, personality, social status and ethnic background . For example, some cultures, like the Japanese, value personal privacy more than others . Therefore, a Japanese person may not self - disclose nearly as much or as enthusiastically as, say, a French person . Partners who come from different religious backgrounds may hesitate to share thoughts or attitudes that concern matters of faith . Men often refrain from expressing deep emotions out of fear of social stigma . Such barriers can slow the rate of self - disclosure and even prevent relationships from forming . In theory, the more dissimilar two people are, the more difficult or unlikely self - disclosure becomes . </P> <P> Most of the time individuals engage in self - disclosure strategically, carefully evaluating what to disclose and what to be reserved, since disclosing too much in the early stage of relationship is generally considered as inappropriate, which can end or suffocate a relationship . Whereas, in certain contexts, self - disclosure does not follow the pattern . This exception is known as "stranger - on - the - train (or plane or bus)" phenomenon, in which individuals reveal personal information with complete strangers in public spaces rapidly . For instance, on a night coach from London to Paris, two individuals sitting next to each other may start conversation very soon, and somehow a wide range of topics including controversial and very personal ones may be discussed . In such situations, self - disclosure is spontaneous rather than strategic . This specific concept can be known as verbal leakage, which is defined by Floyd as "unintentionally telling another person something about yourself". Social Penetration Theory operates under the impression that the self - disclosure given is not only truthful, meaning the speaker believes what is being said to be true, but intentional . Self - disclosure can be defined as "the voluntary sharing of personal history, preferences, attitudes, feelings, values, secrets, etc., with another person". The information given in any relationship, whether acquaintance or a well - established relationship, should be voluntarily shared, otherwise it does not follow the laws of reciprocity, and would fall under the verbal leakage umbrella, or the stranger - on - the - train phenomenon . It is still a puzzle why such instant intimacy could occur . Some researchers argue that revealing our inner self to complete strangers is deemed as "cathartic exercise" or "service of confession", which allows individuals to unload emotions and express deeper thoughts without being haunted by the potential unfavorable comments or judgements . This is because people tend to take lightly and dismiss responses from strangers, who do not really matter in their lives . Some researcher suggests that this phenomenon occurs because individuals feel less vulnerable to open up to strangers who they are not expected to see again . </P> <P> The rate of sexual satisfaction in relationships has been observed to relate directly to the effective communication between couples . Individuals in a relationship who experience anxiety will find it difficult to divulge information regarding their sexuality and desires due to the perceived vulnerabilities in doing so . In a study published by the Archives of Sexual Behavior, socially anxious individuals generally attribute potential judgement or scrutiny as the main instigators for any insecurities in self - disclosing to their romantic partners . This fear of intimacy, and thus a lower level of sexual self - disclosure within a relationship, is predicted to correlate to a decrease in sexual satisfaction . </P>

As a stage theory social penetration theory believes relationship development is