Chapter 9: Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Question 1

Who is the author of the Uncertainty Reduction theory?

Answer 1

Charles Berger

Question 2

What is the central assumption of Uncertainty Reduction theory?

Answer 2

when strangers meet, their primary concern is one of uncertainty reduction or increasing predictability about their behavior of both themselves and others in the interaction

Question 3

What is central to all social interaction?

Answer 3

uncertainty

Question 4

What does reducing uncertainty accomplish?

Answer 4

allows us to predict behavior and choose appropriate behavior for ourselves

Question 5

What does URT seek to do?

Answer 5

explain and predict based on knowledge learned about the other

Question 6

What are the [three] motives behind reducing uncertainty?

Answer 6

1) likelihood of future interaction
2) incentive(s)
3) unpredictable behavior (deviance)

Question 7

What are the phases of URT in initial interactions?

Answer 7

• entry
• personal
• exit

Question 8

Describe the entry phase:

Answer 8

• adhere to communication rules/norms

- share demographic and biographical info

Question 9

Describe the personal phase:

Answer 9

• interactions relax

- share more personal info (attitudes, beliefs, values)

Question 10

Describe the exit phase:

Answer 10

• decisions are made about future interactions

Question 11

What are Berger’s axioms?

Answer 11

universal truths about uncertainty reduction in initial interactions

Question 12

What did Berger use his axioms to do?

Answer 12

create theorems to come up with truths about uncertainty reduction

Question 13

Verbal Communication:

Answer 13

high communication = less uncertainty

Question 14

Nonverbal Warmth:

Answer 14

high nonverbal warmth = less uncertainty

Question 15

Information Seeking:

Answer 15

high uncertainty = high information seeking

Question 16

Self-Disclosure:

Answer 16

high uncertainty = less self-disclosure

reduced uncertainty = more self-disclosure

Question 17

Reciprocity (keep even rates):

Answer 17

high uncertainty = high reciprocity

low uncertainty = less reciprocity

Question 18

Similarity

Answer 18

high similarity = less uncertainty

Question 19

Liking:

Answer 19

high uncertainty = less liking

Question 20

Shared networks:

Answer 20

more shared networks = less uncertainty

Question 21

Positive Correlation:

Answer 21

as one increases, so does the other // as one decreases, so does the other

Question 22

Negative Correlation:

Answer 22

as one increases, the other decreases // as one decreases, the other increases

Question 23

What are the message plans (strategies) for communicating to reduce uncertainty?

Answer 23

• seek information
• choose plan complexity
• hedging
• hierarchy hypothesis

Question 24

What are the four ways to seek information?

Answer 24

• passive
• active
• interactive
• extractive

Question 25

Passive information seeking:

Answer 25

observing

Question 26

Active information seeking:

Answer 26

asking a third party

Question 27

Interactive information seeking:

Answer 27

face to face interaction

Question 28

Extractive information seeking:

Answer 28

internet searching

Question 29

Choose plan complexity:

Answer 29

knowing where you are in your uncertainty and figuring out what type of relationship you want to pursue // this will dictate what you do to reduce uncertainty

Question 30

Hedging:

Answer 30

what are you going to do if you plan to reduce uncertainty doesn’t work // saving face

Question 31

Hierarchy hypothesis:

Answer 31

if your plan doesn’t work, will you try a quick fix or give more effort

Question 32

What type of theory is Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 32

objective

Question 33

Which tradition(s) does Uncertainty Reduction theory represent?

Answer 33

socio-psychological

Question 34

URT: When I talk louder and louder, and you talk louder as well. This is an example of a _____ relationship.

Answer 34

positive

Question 35

The author(s) of URT is/are ______

Answer 35

Berger

Question 36

Lily is a new store employee. She’s not certain about whether employees ever leave a few minutes early but she sees nothing wrong with it if the store isn’t busy. She decides to ask a coworker to punch her time car for her with the intention of saying she was just kidding if the coworker seems displeased. This is an example of which URT information seeking tactic?

Answer 36

hedging

Question 37

URT is a(n) ____ theory.

Answer 37

objective

Question 38

URT: The authors of your text say that ____ is about increasing predictability about the behavior of self and others in an interaction.

Answer 38

uncertainty reduction

Question 39

Bill is interested in dating Shanice, but first, he wants to learn more about her. He decides to ask his brother Charlie, who has met Shanice on a few occasions. Which type of information-seeking strategy in URT is Bill using?

Answer 39

active

Question 40

URT: Steve is tired of his job, his girlfriend, his school friends, his parents, and just about everything else in his world. As he gets on the (same) bus to go to his (same) apartment, he sees someone that is dressed in a clown outfit from top to bottom. Intrigued, Steve decides to strike up a conversation with the clown. Steve’s motive for the conversation is likely to be _____.

Answer 40

the clown’s deviance

Question 41

Interpersonal Communication: When the game of Bowling is used to describe interpersonal communication, it assumes communication is _____ and listeners are ______.

Answer 41

one-way, static

Question 42

Interpersonal Introduction: Griffin suggests that Interpersonal Communication is like charades because

Answer 42

there are may factors simultaneously impacting the collaborative actions