It takes two to self-disclose: Incremental theorists facilitate others’ self-disclosure more than do entity theorists

Objective: We tested the prediction that incremental theorists are more likely to facilitate others’ self-disclosure than are entity theorists. Method: We conducted three studies: (a) a field study that examined client’s self-disclosure (N = 122; M_age = 41.9, 67.8% woman; Israelis) during an intake interview with a professional therapist (N = 38; M_age = 46.2, 84.20% woman; Israelis), (b) a survey of adults (N = 120; M_age = 37.14, 57.6% female) who reported self-perceptions and behaviors during conversations and their perceptions of others’ self-disclosure. In both studies participants reported their implicit theories, and (c) an experiment (N = 250; M_age = 28.27, 56.6% female) in which participants whose implicit theories were manipulated reported their opening behaviors during a conversation and their perceptions of others’ self-disclosure. Results: Ones’ incremental theory of personality was positively related to another’s self-disclosure, to one’s opening and disclosure-encouraging behaviors, and was negatively related to one’s perceptions of others’ self-protection tendency. Furthermore, one’s opening behaviors and perceptions of others’ self-protection tendencies mediated the effect of one’s incremental theory on others’ self-disclosure. Conclusion: Those who believe people can grow and change, can influence others to trust their personal information with them, even when the information is negative.