Abstract
Describes a test of reciprocity, hypothesizing that "in the exchange of answers to personal questions, people tend to give answers of the same intimacy value as they get." Ss were 36 24-59 yr. old alcoholic and drug-addicted hospitalized patients. 10 sets of questions, scaled in intimacy from 1-7, from the M. W. Worthy, A. L. Gary, and G. Kahn study of self-disclosure, were used. Results indicate (a) strong support for the principle of reciprocity; and (b) Ss were highly in favor of the technique, as being less threatening than group therapy. The use of this method in promoting openness among patients is discussed.