Degree of emotional expressiveness as a function of face‐needs, gender, and interpersonal relationship

A face‐needs model of emotional expressiveness is used to explain and predict the degree to which an emotion will be expressed or understated. This model proposes a three‐part hierarchy for emotional disclosures: non‐face‐threatening, mixed‐face‐value, and face‐threatening. The hierarchy was confirmed for both males and females and generally was supported across two relationship types: best friends and acquaintances. The possibility that relationship level may influence the face‐value of some emotional disclosures is explored. Females reported greater disclosure than males, and emotions are disclosed more fully to best friends than to acquaintances.

Notes

Susan B. Shimanoff is an Assistant Professor of Speech and Communication Studies, San Francisco State University.