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Abstract
Drawing from theology and classical perspectives in clinical psychology, I introduce and develop the phenomenon of micro-confessing—self-disclosing shortcomings of desired-self principle(s) to a removed other. I then integrate the core themes from research on confession
across disciplines with insight from sociology and self-disclosure theory and research to advance understanding of what appears to be an instinctual (albeit overlooked) human tendency. Specifically, I develop and test a theoretical framework that delineates a micro-confession episode. In doing so, I offer preliminary insight into one source of what drives humans to microconfess and address the implications of workplace micro-confessing for both the confessor and the broader organization. My model speaks to (a) micro-confessions’ efficacy to deliver relief to confessors and the intrapersonal consequences that result if relief is achieved and (b) microconfessions’ influence on social and moral psychological states and the interpersonal consequences they spark. I conclude by offering directions for future research on microconfessions and its implications for the workplace.