Unit 5 - Section 1 - Privacy

Question 0

Alan Westin’s Theory of Privacy

Answer 0

Privacy has 4 factors:

1. Solitude - being alone
2. Intimacy - group privacy, such as when lovers want to be alone
3. Anonymity - When a person wants to be alone among others but does not want to be identified or to interact
4. Reserve - creation of a psychological barrier against intrusion

Question 1

Define privacy

Answer 1

• Selective control of access to the self or to one’s group

- Management of information about oneself and the management of social interaction

Question 2

What are 2 kinds of somewhat unfriendly privacy in neighbourhoods?

Answer 2

1. Seclusion - can’t see anyone around your property

2. Not neighbouring - don’t want to talk to or know the neighbours

Question 3

What are the 2 groups with whom we can have special forms of intimacy?

Answer 3

1. Intimacy with friends

2. Intimacy with family

Question 4

What is the difference between isolation and solitude?

Answer 4

• Isolation means solitude with no one else nearby

- Solitude means being alone in the midst of others

Question 5

What factors are included in a “sense of freedom”?

Answer 5

1. Individual cognitive freedom - to do as you please

2. Social cognitive freedom - freedom from the expectations of others

Question 7

How does our residential history influence our need for privacy?

Answer 7

1. People who grew up in crowded houses preferred anonymity and reserve as adults
2. Those who spend time in cities prefer anonymity and intimacy
3. Wanderers prefer less intimacy

Question 8

How does gender influence one’s need for privacy?

Answer 8

Dormitory Studies:

1. Males reported a greater desire for privacy than females
2. Men assigned to 2 person rooms increased their preference for all forms of privacy
3. Men assigned to 3 person rooms actually decreased their preference for solitude, but their preference for other forms of privacy were unchanged
4. Men in 3 person rooms stayed away from their residences more
5. Women did not show changes in preference for privacy when they were assigned to 2 person versus 3 person rooms
6. Women may enjoy the company of others more and, when asked to live in higher-density situations, may have learned a more extensive repertoire of privacy-regulating mechanisms
7. Women told roommates more about interpersonal matters than men did, and friendship among women is more closely tied to intimate disclosure

Question 9

How does one’s personality influence the need for privacy?

Answer 9

1. Persons with higher needs for privacy felt less confident and more anxious
2. Individuals who feel they do not have enough privacy are more distractible
3. People who are more reserved and seek more solitude and anonymity tend to have lower self-esteem
4. Introspective individuals are more likely to be reserved and less likely to seek intimacy with their families

Question 10

How do different social situations influence the need for privacy?

Answer 10

1. Desire for privacy varies with social setting
2. Management of personal information is affected by the social situation
3. Which organizations collect information on you?

Question 11

Under what circumstances do people believe that their private information has been invaded?

Answer 11

If information:

1. Concerns their personality rather than performance
2. Was obtained without permission
3. Was disclosed to outsiders
4. Had negative effects for them
5. Seemed irrelevant for the purpose requested