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The Psychology of Secrets

  • Book
  • © 2002

Overview

Authors:
  1. Anita E. Kelly

    1. University of Notre Dame, South Bend, USA

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Part of the book series: The Springer Series in Social Clinical Psychology (SSSC)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
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  2. The Nature of Secrecy

    • Anita E. Kelly
    Pages 1-22

  3. Individual Differences in Secret Keeping

    • Anita E. Kelly
    Pages 23-39

  4. Why Secrecy is Linked to Problems

    • Anita E. Kelly
    Pages 41-65

  5. Health Benefits of Revealing

    • Anita E. Kelly
    Pages 67-79

  6. What is it about Revealing Secrets that is Beneficial?

    • Anita E. Kelly
    Pages 81-99

  7. Secrecy and Openness in Psychotherapy

    • Anita E. Kelly
    Pages 101-127

  8. Why Openness May Not Be Therapeutic

    • Anita E. Kelly
    Pages 129-159

  9. Dilemmas to Revealing Secrets and the Role of the Confidant

    • Anita E. Kelly
    Pages 161-186

  10. When to Reveal Personal Secrets in a Particular Relationship

    • Anita E. Kelly
    Pages 187-217

  11. Back Matter

    Pages 219-263
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Keywords

About this book

On an MTV special aired in 2000, young interviewees were asked to confess the worse thing they were ever told during a romantic breakup. One person tearfully responded "that I suck in bed. " More recently, an acquaintance of mine admitted to his new girlfriend that he "has a mean streak. " She decided not to date him after that. Another memorable and painful example of openness occurred years ago when I served as a member of a suicide intervention team. I was called to a very disturbing scene in an upscale neighborhood to console a woman who was threaten­ ing to take her life on the lawn in front of her children. Her husband had just confessed his long-term affair to her that morning and she felt that her world was coming apart. Fortunately, she did not take her life but was left with the humiliation of haVing her neighbors know about her private troubles. The question these examples bring to mind is, "Why do people so often reveal potentially stigmatizing personal information to others?" The reader probably has an intuitive answer to this question already. It can seem like such a burden-even torture-to keep secrets from other people. Hiding such things as feelings of discontent from a boyfriend or girlfriend, violations of the law from close friends, and indiscretions from employers can be alienating. People want others to know them; therefore they often end up disclosing self-incriminating information.

Reviews

From the reviews:
"This book comprehensively delves into the psychological positives and negatives of revealing ones personal secrets. [...] The author is a credible researcher and educator, and her expertise is evident. A comprehensive understanding of the inner working of secrets is provided. Readers are given new insights into why we reveal our deepest and most hidden thoughts. Highlights include the basic definition of secrecy, problems that lead to secrecy, and secrecy in psychotherapy. I especially enjoyed the chapter on the health benefits of revealing. This book is worthwhile to read and review and will be of value to social and clinical psychologists. Despite the cost, I see it possibly as a supplementary text for advanced graduate level psychology courses. This book is recommended for those seeking strong research on the psychology of secrets."
(Nicholas Greco IV, M.S. Abbott Laboratories)
"Anyone interested in the nature of communication in friendships, intimate relationships, or psychotherapy will find the author's many insights both edifying and useful. Highly recommended for readers at all levels."
(Choice, September 2002)

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Notre Dame, South Bend, USA

    Anita E. Kelly

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