This test was designed to measure your tendency and willingness to self-disclose, which is essentially "opening-up". The natural need to let others peek into our minds and souls is what allows us to form close bonds with other human beings, yet not everyone approaches self-disclosure the same way. We all know someone who goes on and on in extreme detail about their co-workers/classmates, their inner dreams, their opinions on world peace and the sandwich they had for lunch. Some people seem able to say anything, anywhere, to just about anyone! And then there is the other end of the spectrum - those who, when asked how their day was, mutter, "Fine, nothing special", even though they had a car accident or won the lottery.

Do you keep your lips sealed tight when it comes to personal matters - big or small, embarrassing or not? Or do you let the floodgates open, sharing your thoughts and feelings in an effort to build intimacy and closeness? Although different approaches to self-disclosure are not necessarily bad or good, opening up is generally a valuable tool in relationships and a pre-requisite to true closeness. Yet self-disclosing too much can tax other people's listening skills to the point of aggravation. As with so many things, the key issue is striking a good balance - and it's a fine line to walk on.

So why do some self-disclose at the drop of a hat, while others give in at nothing short of threats of torture? It all depends - and the factors are numerous and intertwined. There are genetic influences, since your temperament partially comes, of course, from good old ma and pa. The environment you grew up in also has an affect; whether you were encouraged, for example, to share your opinions and feelings as a child. Our tendency to self-disclose can vary during different periods of our lives and in different situations (you may, for example, open up socially but not at work/school). And last of all, your willingness to share obviously varies from relationship to relationship - you will probably reveal more, for example, to a best friend of many years than to your dentist.

Self-disclosing is, in fact, a risky act, a "leap of faith" of sorts. Telling intimate details, things that may be difficult for us to even think, let alone speak about, can leave us extremely vulnerable. If we tell too much, for example, we fear that others will think less of us or no longer find us interesting. If we don't tell enough, however, how can we ever get close to this person or get our problems off our chest? We can imagine self-disclosing as a delicate dance between two people - you take a tentative, shaky step and wait to see how the other reacts. Does s/he step on your toes, or reciprocate with an even bolder step? If you grab your dance partner and cut straight to the polka, you run the risk of frightening him/her off the "dance floor". And yet, if you are never willing to take those first clumsy steps, you may never achieve the smoothness that comes out of years of practice. So read on to find out if you've got the right moves!