EXAM 3 Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Question 1

Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT)

Answer 1

when strangers meet, their main concern is on of uncertainty reduction or increasing predicability about the behavior of both themselves and others in the interaction

Question 2

central assumption of URT

Answer 2

the driving force in initial encounters is obtaining information about the other person to reduce uncertainty

Question 3

we want to decrease uncertainty when…

Answer 3

• high INCENTIVE value
• DEVIATION from expected behavior
• ANTICIPATE future interactions

Question 4

as your verbal communication with the communication partner increases…

Answer 4

• your level of uncertainty about the person decreases

- as a result, your communication continues to increase

Question 5

as welcoming nonverbal expression increase…

Answer 5

• uncertainty decreases

- vise versa

Question 6

the greater your uncertainty, the ______ info seeking…

Answer 6

• the more information seeking behaviors you see

- conversely as your uncertainty lessens, you seek less information

Question 7

when uncertainty in a relationship is high, the intimacy level…

Answer 7

• the intimacy level of communication content will be low

- on the other hand the reduction of uncertainty leads to greater intimacy

Question 8

the more uncertain you are, the ____ you will use reciprocal communication

Answer 8

the more you will use reciprocal communication strategies and vice versa

Question 9

the more similarities to share with the target person…

Answer 9

• the more your uncertainty is reduced

- perceiving dissimilarities leads to increased uncertainty

Question 10

as uncertainty decreases liking…

Answer 10

• liking increases

- if your uncertainty rises, your liking of the person will decrease

Question 11

shared communication network, or shared ties…

Answer 11

lessens your uncertainty

-if you share NO common relations, your uncertainty intensifies

Question 12

three ways we info-seek to reduce certainty

Answer 12

1) passive Strategy: observe from a distance
2) active strategy: ask a third party
3) interactive: ask person

Question 13

study of stability after uncertain increasing event

Answer 13

• parks and adelman put variables into order of strongest to least strong variables
• strongest being AMOUNT OF SUPPORT FROM PARTNERS NETWORK

Question 14

parks and adelman findings

Answer 14

strongest:

• support from partners networks
• comm with partners network
• comm with partner
• amount to similarity

** when uncertainty happens we seek council from friends and family because their advice varies on how well they know you