New research investigates the social relationships associated with the disclosure of secrets within groups
A recent study published in the journal "Group Processes & Intergroup Relations" sheds light on the conditions under which personal secrets are disclosed within groups. Personal secrets, as defined in the study, are pieces of information about oneself that are intentionally concealed from others. The study aimed to understand the conditions under which these secrets are revealed to other group members.
The study is grounded in Fiske's Relational Models theory, which categorizes all forms of human interaction into four universal models:
1. Communal Sharing: People are perceived and treated as equivalent and undifferentiated.
2. Equality Matching: People seek to participate in balanced, one-for-one exchanges.
3. Authority Ranking: Individuals' relative status determines their rights and obligations.
4. Market Pricing: People desire socially meaningful ratios of some resource or outcome.
Across multiple studies, the research found that the disclosure of secrets was most strongly associated with groups governed by the Communal Sharing model, followed by the Equality Matching model. The study also revealed that identity fusion, a phenomenon where personal and group identities become functionally equivalent, predicted secret disclosure in Communal Sharing and Equality Matching groups.
The findings have implications for understanding group dynamics and the role of secret-sharing. For instance, groups that foster a sense of community and equality might be more conducive to secret-sharing, which can, in turn, influence group cohesiveness and identity.
Secret-sharing is deeply intertwined with the very fabric of group dynamics. By understanding the conditions under which secrets are shared, we can better navigate our interpersonal relationships and foster stronger, more cohesive groups.
