The Benefits of Revealing Secrets
Over the past fifteen years, researchers have acknowledged that the revealing of personal secrets through talking and writing can lead to a variety of health benefits, in view of the fact that the opportunity allows the secret holder to openly express the clandestine information with another. This prospect not only allows the individual the opportunity to relieve themselves of the pressure of the emotional burden, but also the chance to come to terms with the concealment of their secrets.
The revelation of a secret allows for the individual to gain new insight or catharsis into their personal undisclosed information. In the article, a new insight refers to the making of a meaning out of the situation, which lead to the formation of the secret. Once the individual developments a since of meaning, they then can begin the process of developing a since of closure, in regards, to the personal situation, which lead to the formation of the secret.
Catharsis is used in the article to insinuate the “venting of emotions” (652). Catharsis allows for an individual to opening express themselves in a manner were they can declare their pent-up thoughts and feelings, in regards to the establishment of their secret and begin the process of coming to terms with the confidential issue.
In this particular research article the researchers conducted their research “in an effort to disentangle the effects of gaining catharsis from the effects of gaining new insights, which have been blended in previous research that has examined the benefits of revealing emotion and facts surrounding private traumas (662).
There is a matter of some controversy, between the two methods of revealing secrets. Researchers agr...
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...s feel less negative, in regards to their secrets. Study 1 results showed that coming to terms with personal secrets has more positive results then catharsis. In general, the two research studies indicate that there are more positive effects from finding meaning in the secrets and the situations that led up to them, then just attempting to overcome the situation by venting about the secrets.
The researchers are aware their may have be limitations in their research, but they believe their showed that their “pair of studies showed that focusing on getting a new perspective on one’s secrets is a superior means of making oneself feel more positive about them”(663-664).
Bibliography:
Kelly, A., Kenny, C., Klusas, J., and von Weiss, R. (2001). What Is It About Revealing Secrets That Is Beneficial? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 657-665.
Plato once said: “Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.” People are taught from a very young age never to lie or keep secrets. It would be easy for anyone to stand behind the argument: “Honesty is the best policy,” but in times of personal anguish, that decree is quickly disdained. What this argument fails to consider is that keeping a secret or lying is the justifiable in times of crisis.
...l of this just to keep a secret that ends up coming out anyway. This just proves the old saying, "What is done in the dark will come to light."
They argue that therapists should consider their own motivation to self-disclose and set boundaries. The therapists should never put their own needs above the client. They make sure to point out that self discourse alone cannot affect the outcome of treatment. Self-disclosure is effective only if it is used appropriately and only if it is used when it is necessary. The amount of information disclosed and when it is disclosed is also important. Therapists should draw a clear line with the amount of intimacy to include in their therapeutic disclosure to ensure that no inappropriate boundaries are crossed. The authors suggest two rules of thumb to follow when disclosing information which include: (a) “Why do I want to say what I am about to say” and (b) “What will be the likely impact of the client” (p. 567).
In the article “Is Lying Bad for Us”, Richard Gunderman persuades his readers the effect of lying can have on our daily lives. He expresses strong opinions towards being honest and how lying has negative consequences on not only our mental health but
In the article “Signs You Might Have a ‘Work Spouse,’” Patty Lewis and Tom Bristler shared information about their close relationship in the workplace. Lewis revealed that she shared information with Bristler from psychological to emotional perspectives. This reflects the different layers and areas of the onion that forms the personality structure. Her self-disclosure or vulnerability is like a wedge that is drawn into the onion in multiple areas. Lewis and Bristler’s self-disclosure process was presumably gradual because it’s highly unlikely that they would quickly share deep, personal information with a colleague.
The author states, that by journaling an individual can begin to express the activities of the heart and start the process of becoming informed by what is known as the imaginal method in psychology circles. This method is a form of emotional exploration of interactions, relationships, and ideas. The ultimate goal of the imaginal method is to become aware of those inner suppressed emotions that affect relationships and perception. Utilizing this process, an individual would then reflect on ideas and thoughts that have been captured during the free-write period of journaling. Quite often what is revealed can be quite surprising and transforming at the same
Have you ever heard, “You only have one chance to make a first impression?” Now, whether you choose to be yourself or you choose to be who you thought someone wanted you to be, a conscientious decision was made. Presenting who we would like others to believe we are is self-presentation (Gilovich, Keltner, & Nisbett, 2011). Now answer another question for me, under the correct circumstances, do you think that everyone has the ability to lie about information or details about themselves?
...d on saying that self-disclosure from the therapist may allow the client to be more in touch with their experiences and thus self-closing even more. I think after disclosing this information, the conversation started flowing in and the client would often call to remind me of our weekly appointment.
Traditionally, it is agreed that any and every form of telling the truth is always the best thing to do. In the essays of Stephen L Carter and Stephanie Ericsson, this ideal is not exactly true. It is expressed in "The Insufficiency of Honesty" as well as "The Ways We Lie" that honesty is hard to come by and that there is more to it than believed. The authors convey their views by first defining what the concept is, picking it apart, and then use common occurrences for examples of the points they had made.
Though most view hearing the truth from another person an individual’s right and overall kind act, doctors don’t alway look at truth telling as having a positive outcome. The same debate is often had over doctor-patient confidentiality. In general it is more beneficial for doctors to keep that promise, allowing patients to trust their physicians, making them more forthcoming with vital information. However when cases cause physicians to question what is more important, keeping the patient 's secret or breaking trust to create more benefit to all? In search for the right answer, many doctors turn to moral theories like Utilitarianism and Kantianism to help them
Attachment and self disclosure can say a lot about a person. There was a study done to investigate attachment style and self disclosure in the first group counseling session. This was done in order to explain variable of group functioning. The attachment style was done by self report questionnaires and the self-disclosure was done by observations. There were more than four hundred participants that were split up into twenty seven different groups. I find taking over 400 people and placing them into twenty seven different groups is actually a quite strong way of studying attachment and disclosure. They were assessed on the basis of transcripts of the first group counseling session. As noted by the group leader and the participants, group functioning included self-disclosure, group empathy, group intimacy, and client behavior. The results indicated that a significant relationship existed between attachment and initial self disclosure. I agree with this.
Sollod, R., Wilson J., & Monte C. (2009.). Beneath the mask: An introduction to theories of personality (8th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
It is vital to the development and maintenance of close relationships (Ruppel, 668). The advantages of this include a variety of beneficial outcomes in relationships, such as closeness, relational quality, certainty, social validation and catharsis. There are also disadvantages that come along with disclosing oneself. One of the disadvantages is rejection. The fear of rejection causes one not reveal information about themselves that they think the other person may not like. With a mindset such as this, the relationship will not grow because the ‘true ' you are not being
Talk – “Secrecy is the strength of shame.” (p. 71) Confession for men may be difficult because they want to be perceived as smart and successful. Remember, we are human, not a god. We all make mistakes and fail on our journey in life. The author gives a list of to whom you can talk. To develop courage it may be helpful to use the symbolic two chair approach and practice what you are going to say.
As outlined within Aristotle’s Poetics, the role of catharsis is to purify and purge the audience’s emotion through theatre, insisting that emotional change is akin to restoration and renewal of balance within the psyche. Differentiating from The Nāṭyaśāstra’s concept that rasas are only generated by bhāvas, Aristotle states catharsis occurs only from tragedies, which, he contends, is its sole source. Aristotle frequently asserts that tragedies are the only form capable of generating pity and fear, which, sequentially, is the only way the purgation, or catharsis, of an audience can manifest (The Poetics of Aristotle 10). Contrasting to the states of rasa, which are said to be unlimitedly generated from an actor’s bhāva, Aristotle insists that only tragedies have the right elements to create an impactful catharsis, thus limiting its occurrences. Furthermore, this no...