Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

1. Uncertainty

   • The inability to predict the attitudes and/or behaviors of another

2. Theory Premise

   • When strangers meet, their main concern is one of uncertainty reduction or increasing predictability about the behavior of both themselves and others in the interaction.

3. Central Assumption

   • The driving force in initial encounters is obtaining information about the other person to reduce uncertainty (Ex: When Harry Met Sally)

4. We Want to Decrease Uncertainty When...

   • High Incentive Value
     • High motivated to reduce uncertainty about people who can satisfy important needs
     • High motivated to reduce uncertainty about people we dislike, especially if they can affect our lives in someway
   • Deviation from Expected Behavior
   • Anticipate Future Interactions
   • Anticipated Positive vs Negative Info

5. URT Axioms

   • Traditionally regarded as self-evident truths that require no additional proof.
   • 1. Verbal Communication
     • At onset- High U leads to high VC (we talk because we are uncertain)
     • Middle...Uncertainty lowers because of high VC
     • Later...As U lowers, so does VC Ex: Old married couple
   • 2. Nonverbal Communication
     • At onset- high U leads to high NVC
     • Middle...Uncertainty lowers because we have high NVC
     • Later...As U lowers, so does NVC (often because we assume that people understand us better and we do not have to be as nonverbally expressive.)
   • 3. Information Seeking
     • At onset- high U leads to high info seeking
     • As U lowers, so does info seeking
     • OR...if info seeking leads to only more U, then info seeking lowers
   • 4. Intimate Verbal Communication
     • When U is high, there is low levels of intimate (psychological information) VC. Ex: Nicknames
     • As U lowers, intimate VC rises.
   • 5. Turn Taking
     • When U is high, there is high levels of turn-taking.
     • As U lowers, turn-taking lowers.
   • 6. Similarities
     • Similarities reduce U. Ex: “oh i like her style”
     • Lack of similarities increases U.
   • 7. Liking
     • Increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in liking; decreases in uncertainty produce increases in liking.
   • 8. Networks
     • Shared communication networks reduce uncertainty, while lack of shared networks increases uncertainty Ex: Sorority/Fraternity affiliations and references

6. 3 Ways We Seek Info to Reduce Uncertainty

   • Passive Strategy
     • Observing
   • Active Strategy
     • Getting a third party to intervene for you
   • Interactive
     • Asking questions straight to the person

7. Causes of Uncertainty in Ongoing Relationships

   • Competing Relationships (New Friend)
   • Unexplained Loss of Contact or Closeness
   • Sexual Behavior
   • Deception
   • Change in Personalities/Values
   • Betraying Confidence

8. Study of Stability after U Increasing Event

   • 1. Amount of Communication with Partner
   • 2. Amount of Similarity between Partners
   • 3. Amount of Communication with Partner's Network
   • 4. Amount of Support from Partner's Network