In association with an extensive examination of the disclosure literature, this paper describes two laboratory studies designed to yield information regarding the effects of reinforcement on self-disclosing behaviors in an exchange process. In one series, the experimenters manipulated the patterns of personal reward/cost experiences, hypothesizing that shifts in reinforcement, inconsistent with prior established expectations, would produce "contrast effects". Results provide evidence of such effects, with S's exposed to negative changing to positive reinforcement talking about themselves for longer periods of time than those subjected to continuous positive conditions. This pattern held true only when S's were led to think they would be together for a long time. No contrast effects were found for the positive changing to negative condition. A followup study, in which the major independent variable was intimacy, introduced four patterns of intimacy of self-disclosure into the verbal exchange of S's and confederates. Results of these exchanges also provided some support for the contrast hypothesis. The author suggests several independent theoretical foundations for the appearance of contrast effects and hopes that future studies will provide more solid empirical support for such effects. (Author/CJ)