Chapter 8 The Relationship Uncertainty reduction theory Flashcards
Author Uncertainty reduction theory
berger and calabresa
tradition Uncertainty reduction theory
socio-psychological
context Uncertainty reduction theory
Intrapersonal/interpersonal
approach to knowing Uncertainty reduction theory
positivist/emperical
Overall theory Uncertainty reduction theory
5
People want to reduce uncertainty about others, because uncertainty is uncomfortable. - through information seeking. –> relationship develops as a function of decreased uncertainty
- People experience uncertainty in interpersonal settings and it generates cognitive stress.
- Don’t make sense about environment, people get anxious. - When strangers meet, their primary concern is to reduce their uncertainty and increase predictability.
- Through information seeking. - Interpersonal communication is a developmental process that occurs through stages and it is the primary means of uncertainty reduction - entry personal an exit
- The quantity and nature of information that people share change through time.
- It is possible to predict people’s behavior in a lawlike fashion.
two types of uncertainty
behavioral(how to behave and other will behave)
cognitive(what i think about the other and the other think of me)
prediction:
ability to forecast my or others actions
Explanations:
the ability to interpret the meaning of behavior choice
uncertainty exist whenever…
the number of possible alternative is a given situation is high and the occurrence of each is relatively equal.
proactive and retroactive
- Proactive: uncertainty reduction – thinking about communication options before engaging with another person – preplan what to say.
- Retroactive: Explain behavior after the encounter itself.
self-disclosure
reveal information about yourself
three stages of communication and uncertainty reduction
epe
a. Entry phase: the beginning stage of an interaction between strangers
i. Guided by implicit and explicit rules and norms.
b. Personal phase: the stage in a relationship when people begin to communicate more spontaneously and personally.
c. Exit phase: the stage in a relationship when people decide whether to continue or leave.
this is a Covering law theory
move from statements(past research/common sense) that are presumes to be true(axioms) to statements that are derived from these truism (or theorems)
= heart of theory
the relationship between the main concept(uncertainty) and other concepts
positive or negative relationship
When the two concepts both decrease or increase when the is a change= positive relationship
When the one decrease, the other increase – or increase the other decrease = negative relationship
According to URT when there is still uncertainty – Reciprocity happens?
when there is uncertainty, people will mirror the other persons communication; verbal/nonverbal ( positive relation)
axioms –> talk, seek info, intimacy, similarities, liking, communication social media, satisfactory
talk more: less uncertain = negative
uncertainty decrease: seek info decrease= positive
low uncertainty: high intimacy = negative
similarity decrease uncertainty viseversa - negative
increase uncertainty: decrease liking - negative
more communication on social media: less uncertainty - negative
more uncertainty, less satisfaction with communication = negative
Antecedent(prior) conditions exist when seeking uncertainty reduction (3)
- One has potential to reward or punish
a. Cool = a reward to talk to a cool person – look cool too
b. Punishment = to be seen with a nerd e.g. - Behaves contrary to expectations. Expectations violated. Stare much at one. Not a norm
- When person expects further interactions with another.
strategies to reduce uncertainty (passive/active/interactive)
- Passive: observe. Look at a person in different enviroments. Who does the people interact with, what does the person laugh of, what does the person like to do.
- Reactivity searching: Wathing a person do something
- Disinhibition searching watching a person’s natural or uninhibited behaviour in an informal environment.
- Active: Reduce with other than direct contact. Ask others about the person e.g.
- Interactive: Engaging in conversation with the person.
benefits and negativity with uncertainty in relationship
- in a young relationship = want uncertainty because it exiting
- in married: want no uncertainty and stability
- dating: goal to reduce stability
- low/high context cultures
- -> missing understanding
*uncertainty avoidance
high: USA - plain direct speaking - individualistic country
- low attempt to avoid uncertainty situations
Low: Japan- indirect speaking -high attempt to avoid uncertainty situations
Critic - utility
discussed axiom: being uncertain equal information seeking, and whether individuals firstly engage in uncertainty reduction or the possible outcome/reward/utility. I think that you need some knowledge to suggest at possible outcome of talking to one specific person, so you would need some uncertainty reduction before judging a possible outcome.
Regarding the axiom, it have discussed whether people seek information more because they want or less because of lacking info, and that more info can result in more uncertainty. It is hard to decide, but i see mostly relevance in wanting, because i only feel uncertainty for people i want to talk to, and i dont really think about the uncertainty with people i dont want to talk to.
Critic - Heurism
highly heuristic - studied small groups and mass communication
more personal
missing
communication example
Mulan try to learn about being a man soldier, observe, learn from dragon, engage in talking.
