Our research examines identity disclosures, which are the strategic and spontaneous ways people reveal information about themselves to navigate social relationships. We explore how individuals decide what to share, when, and with whom, and how these disclosures shape trust, connection, and social outcomes. By understanding identity disclosure as a social transaction, we illuminate how people manage their identities across contexts, negotiate belonging, and pursue their goals through interpersonal engagement.

Illustrative work from our lab on this topic:

King, A. M., Davis, C. J., Darby, C., Proudfoot, D., & Burrow, A. L. (2025). The identity disclosure matrix: A conceptual framework for why and how we share our identities. Identity, 25(2), 227-241. [link]