Cited by 904Attachment and Relationship DynamicsSocial and Intergroup PsychologyPersonality Traits and Psychology

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The Experimental Generation of Interpersonal Closeness: A Procedure and Some Preliminary Findings

Aron, Arthur, Melinat, Edward, Aron, Elaine N., Vallone, Robert Darrin, Bator, Renee J.·1997·Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

DOI 10.1177/0146167297234003

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Abstract

A practical methodology is presented for creating closeness in an experimental context. Whether or not an individual is in a relationship, particular pairings of individuals in the relationship, and circumstances of relationship development become manipulated variables. Over a 45-min period subject pairs carry out self-disclosure and relationship-building tasks that gradually escalate in intensity. Study 1 found greater postinteraction closeness with these tasks versus comparable small-talk tasks. Studies 2 and 3 found no significant closeness effects, inspite of adequate power, for (a) whether pairs were matched for nondisagreement on important attitudes, (b) whether pairs were led to expect mutual liking, or (c) whether getting close was made an explicit goal. These studies also illustrated applications for addressing theoretical issues, yielding provocative tentative findings relating to attachment style and introversion/extraversion.

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“These questions and conversation paradigm were adapted from Aron, Melinat, Aron, Vallone, & Bator (1997).”
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“Although the literature on closeness, and especially IOS, suggests an overall positive impact on the relationship, individuals nevertheless differ in the degree of closeness they desire in their relationship (Aron et al., 1997).”
Influential
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“Extensive research suggests that self-disclosure plays a crucial role in the formation of close relationships [36,37].”
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“At the same time they usually do not realize that their social behavior is inappropriate, and overestimate the pertinence of the disclosed information [13,26].”
Background
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“As described before, self-disclosure can be used to develop closeness in a relationship; see also research on the experimental generation of interpersonal closeness [37, 38].”
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“…less anxiety and depression, are liked more by others, feel more satis ﬁ ed with their relationships, and feel closer to their interaction partner (Aron et al., 1997; Chin et al., 2021; Collins & Miller, 1994; Jourard, 1959; Kane et al., 2014; Laurenceau et al., 1998; Pennebaker & Chung, 2011;…”
Background
“I’m proud to say I was the first in my family to go to college”: How students perceive professor self-disclosure of first-generation status
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“We tend to like others who disclose personal information, such as their hopes and fears, to us; in fact, intimate self-disclosure can turn strangers into friends very quickly (Aron et al., 1997).”
Background

Authors: Aron, A., Melinat, E., Aron, E. N., Vallone, R. D., & Bator, R. J.
Affiliations: Stony Brook University (US)
California Graduate School of Family Psychology
University of California, Santa Cruz (US)
Arizona State University
Corresponding author: Aron, Arthur
ORCID: Aron, Arthur
Venue: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 1997-04
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Pages: 363-377
ISSN: 0146-1672 (ISSN-L)
1552-7433
DOI: 10.1177/0146167297234003
OpenAlex: W2167393292
Cited by: 902
References: 41
Citations by year: 2026: 67 · 2025: 88 · 2024: 60 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 70 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 113 · 2019: 56 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 15
FWCI: 4.96
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Keywords: relationship closeness, self-disclosure, relationship building, small talk, interpersonal attraction, attachment styles, extraversion-introversion

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The Experimental Generation of Interpersonal Closeness: A Procedure and Some Preliminary Findings

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