Hoofdstuk 8:

Question 1

What is the Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 1

The Uncertainty Reduction Theory explains how communication is used to reduce uncertainties between strangers engaging in their first conversation together. It involves two primary sub-processes: prediction and explanation.

Question 2

What is the difference between cognitive and behavioral uncertainty?

Answer 2

Cognitive uncertainty refers to the degree of uncertainty associated with beliefs and attitudes, while behavioral uncertainty pertains to the extent to which behavior is predictable in a given situation.

Question 3

What does self-disclosure refer to in the context of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 3

Self-disclosure refers to revealing pieces of information about oneself to another. It affects the level of uncertainty, as withholding information can increase uncertainty.

Question 4

What are the stages of interpersonal communication according to the Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 4

The stages include the
1. entry phase (beginning stage with implicit and explicit rules),
2. personal phase (more spontaneous communication and revealing idiosyncratic information), and the
3. exit phase (decisions are made about future interactions with the partner).

Question 5

What are the key assumptions of the Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 5

The assumptions are that people experience uncertainty in interpersonal settings, uncertainty is aversive and stressful, the primary concern when strangers meet is to reduce uncertainty, interpersonal communication occurs through stages, it’s the primary means of uncertainty reduction, the nature of shared information changes over time, and human behavior can be predicted in a law-like fashion.

Question 6

What is Axiom 1 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 6

Axiom 1 states that at the onset of the entry phase, as the amount of verbal communication increases, the level of uncertainty for each interactant decreases. There is an inverse relationship between verbal communication and uncertainty.

Question 7

What is Axiom 2 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 7

Axiom 2 suggests that as nonverbal affiliative expressiveness increases, uncertainty levels decrease in an initial interaction situation. There is a negative relationship between the two.

Question 8

What is Axiom 3 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 8

Axiom 3 states that high levels of uncertainty cause increases in information seeking behavior. As uncertainty levels decline, information seeking behavior decreases. This suggests a positive relationship between the two concepts.

Question 9

What is Axiom 4 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 9

Axiom 4 suggests that high levels of uncertainty cause decreases in the intimacy level of communication content. Conversely, low levels of uncertainty produce high levels of intimacy, indicating a negative relationship.

Question 10

What is Axiom 5 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 10

Axiom 5 states that high levels of uncertainty produce high rates of reciprocity, and low levels of uncertainty produce low levels of reciprocity, indicating a positive relationship. Reciprocity involves the expectation that personal disclosures will be reciprocated.

Question 11

What is Axiom 6 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 11

Axiom 6 suggests that similarities between people reduce uncertainty, while dissimilarities increase uncertainty. There is a negative relationship between the two.

Question 12

What is Axiom 7 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 12

Axiom 7 states that increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in liking, while decreases in uncertainty produce increases in liking. This indicates a negative relationship between the two.

Question 13

What are the 7 axioms of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 13

The 7 axioms are:

Verbal communication and uncertainty have an inverse relationship.
Nonverbal affiliative expressiveness and uncertainty have a negative relationship.
Information seeking behavior increases with high levels of uncertainty.
High uncertainty decreases the intimacy level of communication content.
High levels of uncertainty produce high rates of reciprocity.
Similarities decrease uncertainty, while dissimilarities increase it.
Increases in uncertainty level reduce liking.

Question 14

What is Axiom 8 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 14

Axiom 8 states that uncertainty is negatively related to interaction with social networks. The more people interact with the friends and family members of their relational partner, the less uncertainty they experience.

Question 15

What is Axiom 9 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 15

Axiom 9 suggests a negative relationship between uncertainty and communication satisfaction. Communication satisfaction is an affective response to the accomplishment of communication goals and expectations.

Question 16

What are the three antecedent conditions in Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 16

The three antecedent conditions are:
(1) the other person has potential to reward or punish,
(2) the other person behaves contrary to expectations, and
(3) the person expects future interactions with the other.

Question 17

What are the three categories of strategies in Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 17

he three categories of strategies are:
(1) passive strategies, where the observer plays an unobtrusive role,
(2) active strategies, where the observer engages in some effort other than direct contact to find out about the other person, and
(3) interactive strategies, where the observer and other person engage in direct contact or face-to-face interaction.

Question 18

What is the concept of relational uncertainty in Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 18

Relational uncertainty is the lack of certainty about the future and status of a relationship. It is distinct from individual uncertainty and exists at a higher level of abstraction. It can operate in different types of relationships and is influenced by the level of face-to-face contact.

Question 19

How does Uncertainty Reduction Theory apply in different cultural contexts?

Answer 19

Uncertainty varies across cultures. In low context cultures, meaning is found in the explicit message, while in high context cultures, nonverbal messages play a more significant role. The theory may not apply in the same way to all cultural communities, as communication patterns to reduce uncertainty can differ.

Question 20

How does Uncertainty Reduction Theory apply to mass communication research?

Answer 20

While Uncertainty Reduction Theory has primarily been used in interpersonal communication research, its basic logic can be applied to mass communication research. It can help understand how audiences react to and interpret mass media messages, and how uncertainties about these messages can be reduced through effective communication strategies.

Question 21

How does Uncertainty Reduction Theory apply beyond initial encounters?

Answer 21

Uncertainty Reduction Theory has been expanded to include developed relationships. Uncertainty is an ongoing issue in relationships and thus the process of uncertainty reduction remains relevant in developed relationships. It may function dialectically within relationships, balancing tensions between reducing and increasing uncertainty.

Question 22

What is one critique of Uncertainty Reduction Theory regarding its utility?

Answer 22

A major critique is that reducing uncertainty is not an individual’s primary concern. Instead, a more primary goal could be maximizing relational outcomes.

Question 23

What is the concept of predicted outcome value (POV) in relation to Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 23

POV implies that outcomes cannot be predicted without reduced uncertainty about oneself, one’s partner, and the relationship. Predicting an outcome serves as a means to reduce uncertainty.

Question 24

Why is Axiom 3 of Uncertainty Reduction Theory often critiqued?

Answer 24

It’s criticized because wanting knowledge, rather than lacking it, promotes information-seeking in initial encounters with others.

Question 25

According to the critique, what role does interest play in Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 25

If there’s no interest in the other person, individuals are not motivated to reduce uncertainties by seeking information.

Question 26

What are the positive aspects of Uncertainty Reduction Theory, considering its heurism, parsimony, logical consistency, and test of time?

Answer 26

The theory is heuristic as it stimulates further research, parsimonious due to its simplicity, logically consistent, and has stood the test of time. It’s also an important contribution to the field of communication.

Question 27

What is the significance of communication in Uncertainty Reduction Theory?

Answer 27

Communication plays a central role in this theory and is vital in reducing uncertainty during initial interactions and relationship development.