Seminal Research
Petronio, P. (2000) Balancing the Secrets of Private Disclosures. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Petronio, S. (2002). Boundaries of Privacy: Dialectics of Disclosure. Albany: SUNY Press.
Communication privacy management theory (CPM) encompasses individuals setting boundaries within their relationships. According to Littlejohn (2015) boundaries are prevelent in every relationship. It is up to each individual to set their boundaries, expectations, and what they are and are not willing to share. Petronio divided up privacy CPM into three categories "privacy ownership, privacy control, and privacy turbulence" (as cited in Littlejohn, 2015, pp. 225). Privacy ownership is the sole proprietor of the information up for possible dislosure. Privacy control is a set of rules for negotiation of self disclosure. This means rules are set based on the situation, different social factors, risk and benefit ration, and possible co-owners of the information. Lastly. privacy turbulence is the ambiguity or violation of the rules. This turbulation can be the main cause of conflict (Littlejohn, 2015).
(Littlejohn, 2015, p.241)
CPM can be applicable to any relationship whether it is personal, in the classroom, or in a workplace. It is important to understand this theory because of its flexibility and applicability. It can answer serval questions about communication. The biggest question being why people decide to disclose certain information. This is imperative to be aware of to avoid crossing boundaries set by people within your relationships. Boundaries are important as well as following and respect those boundaries. I study this theory because of the personal connect I have with my boundary expectation as a students and instructor of record. This theory has increased my awareness of the importance of being on both sides of the boundaries.
References
Littlejohn, S.W., Foss, K.A., & Oetzel J.G. (2016) Theories of human communication. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.
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