Disclosure and identification information increase the benefits of stealing thunder

Research shows that preemptively confessing a transgression (stealing thunder) enhances trustworthiness, credibility, or expertise compared to third-party revelations. Recent findings suggest that detailed disclosure about the transgression is key to this effect, yet people often hesitate to share comprehensive details before all facts are known. We propose that sharing information about the confession itself can improve reputation without divulging more about the transgression. Across one main and five supplementary experiments, an integrative data analysis revealed that messages elaborating on why the confession was made (disclosure information) or how the transgressor realized the wrongdoing (identification information) enhanced trustworthiness and credibility, but not expertise, for targets like doctors and politicians. These benefits occurred even without reparative actions.