Chapter 9: Uncertainty Reduction Theory Flashcards
Who is the author of the Uncertainty Reduction theory?
Charles Berger
What is the central assumption of Uncertainty Reduction theory?
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
What is central to all social interaction?
uncertainty
What does reducing uncertainty accomplish?
allows us to predict behavior and choose appropriate behavior for ourselves
What does URT seek to do?
explain and predict based on knowledge learned about the other
What are the [three] motives behind reducing uncertainty?
1) likelihood of future interaction
2) incentive(s)
3) unpredictable behavior (deviance)
What are the phases of URT in initial interactions?
- entry
- personal
- exit
Describe the entry phase:
- adhere to communication rules/norms
- share demographic and biographical info
Describe the personal phase:
- interactions relax
- share more personal info (attitudes, beliefs, values)
Describe the exit phase:
- decisions are made about future interactions
What are Berger’s axioms?
universal truths about uncertainty reduction in initial interactions
What did Berger use his axioms to do?
create theorems to come up with truths about uncertainty reduction
Verbal Communication:
high communication = less uncertainty
Nonverbal Warmth:
high nonverbal warmth = less uncertainty
Information Seeking:
high uncertainty = high information seeking
Self-Disclosure:
high uncertainty = less self-disclosure
reduced uncertainty = more self-disclosure
Reciprocity (keep even rates):
high uncertainty = high reciprocity
low uncertainty = less reciprocity
Similarity
high similarity = less uncertainty
Liking:
high uncertainty = less liking
Shared networks:
more shared networks = less uncertainty
Positive Correlation:
as one increases, so does the other // as one decreases, so does the other
Negative Correlation:
as one increases, the other decreases // as one decreases, the other increases
What are the message plans (strategies) for communicating to reduce uncertainty?
- seek information
- choose plan complexity
- hedging
- hierarchy hypothesis
What are the four ways to seek information?
- passive
- active
- interactive
- extractive
Passive information seeking:
observing
Active information seeking:
asking a third party
Interactive information seeking:
face to face interaction
Extractive information seeking:
internet searching
Choose plan complexity:
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
Hedging:
what are you going to do if you plan to reduce uncertainty doesn’t work // saving face
Hierarchy hypothesis:
if your plan doesn’t work, will you try a quick fix or give more effort
What type of theory is Uncertainty Reduction Theory?
objective
Which tradition(s) does Uncertainty Reduction theory represent?
socio-psychological
URT: When I talk louder and louder, and you talk louder as well. This is an example of a _____ relationship.
positive
The author(s) of URT is/are ______
Berger
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?
hedging
URT is a(n) ____ theory.
objective
URT: The authors of your text say that ____ is about increasing predictability about the behavior of self and others in an interaction.
uncertainty reduction
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?
active
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 _____.
the clown’s deviance
Interpersonal Communication: When the game of Bowling is used to describe interpersonal communication, it assumes communication is _____ and listeners are ______.
one-way, static
Interpersonal Introduction: Griffin suggests that Interpersonal Communication is like charades because
there are may factors simultaneously impacting the collaborative actions
