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Communication privacy management theory applied to real-life scenarios
Basic Communication Theory (COM 200)
Northern Arizona University
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Scene Recently my long time best friend shared private information with me regarding her onagain off-again boyfriend. She was upset that he was spending time with another girl while they were on one of their breaks. She felt that he should be spending their time apart focusing on himself and not another girl. After all, this was their agreement when they decided to take the break. They felt that they needed to resolve their own issues before coming back together again. She felt that he could not do this if he was focusing on another girl. He argued that they agreed to a take a break from their relationship and that this was his way of dealing with his issues. She disclosed this private information with me as a way to releases some of her tension and to receive my advice. Concept Communication privacy management theory (CPM) explores the idea of private disclosure. This is a complex and rule-based process of communication. CPM should not be confused with self-disclose which focuses more on the sharing of personal information to create intimacy. CPM places an emphasis on lack of traditional openness. The main difference here being boundaries and multiple levels of disclosure including self and group. CPM does not necessarily come with feelings of intimacy. The disclosure of private information can certainly lead to increased bonding and levels of intimacy within a relationship or group but rather CMP concerns “the process of telling and reflects the content of private information about others and us” (West and Turner, pg. 225). This is a more cut and dry look at disclosure. Someone may share private information simply because it is necessary to complete a task. An example of CPM is patient-doctor confidentially. A patient sharing their personal and private medical history with their doctor won’t increase their intimacy but it essential information that needs to be disclosed. Furthermore, an important aspect of CMP is following the rules put in place by the private agreement. When a patient shares medical information, the doctor must keep this information to themselves. This is the private boundary or the “demarcation between private information and public information” (West and Turner, pg. 225). The boundary may become more complex if the situation changes. For example, if the patient needs emergency medical care from a group of doctors then their doctor may share the patient’s private medical information with the group of doctors. This is known as a collective boundary. This just goes to show how complex the process of CPM is. The rules can change slightly with each situation. However, the most important aspect of CPM is following the rule management process. If someone were to break the alliance the connection would be lost and private information would become public information. Connection This scene relates to communication privacy management theory because my best friend disclosed private information to me. She disclosed this information to one else but me and the agreed upon boundary is that I will not share this information with anyone else. Our alliance and connection depends on this private information and my promise to not tell anyone else about her issues with her on-again off-again boyfriend. I would not relate this situation to self-disclosure because it did not increase our intimacy. I am already incredibly intimate with my best friend and we always discuss her boy troubles. It was a normal occurrence in our communication pattern and therefore did not increase our intimacy or bond.
Communication privacy management theory applied to real-life scenarios
Course: Basic Communication Theory (COM 200)
University: Northern Arizona University
