Uncertainty Reduction Theory PDF

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Notes on Uncertainty Reduction Theory in communication ...

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Uncertainty Reduction Theory: An Introduction ● ●

Berger and Calabrese developed uncertainty reduction theory (URT) to explain how individuals use communication to reduce the uncertainty of initial interactions People have two main goals in initial interactions: prediction and explanation

Assumptions of URT ● ● ● ●

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People experience uncertainty in interpersonal settings Uncertainty is an aversive state, generating cognitive stress When strangers meet, their primary concern is to reduce uncertainty and increase predictability Interpersonal communication is a developmental process that occurs in stages ○ Entry Phase ○ Personal Phase ○ Exit Phase The quantity and nature of information that people share changes over time It is possible to predict people’s behavior in a law-like fashion

Axioms of URT ●

Axioms-- Truisms drawn from past research and common sense ○ 1: The more you talk to someone the uncertainty decreases ○ 2: The more positive nonverbal communication the less the uncertainty ○ 3: High levels of uncertainty cause increases in information seeking ○ 4: High levels of uncertainty in a relationship cause decreases in the intimacy level of communication content ○ 5: High levels of uncertainty produce high rates of reciprocity ○ 6: Similarities between people reduce uncertainty and the other way around ○ 7: Increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in liking

Expansions of URT ●

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Strategies to reduce uncertainty ○ Passive--Observing ○ Active--Asking others or observing a response to a manipulation ○ Interactive--Engaging directly Relational uncertainty ○ Self uncertainty ○ Partner ○ Relationship

Uncertainty Management Theory (UMT) ● ●

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Brashers based Uncertainty Management Theory on URT Assumptions of UMT ○ LIfe is unpredictable ○ Reducing uncertainty is just one option for individuals faced with uncertainty ○ Some may choose to maintain or increase uncertainty to stay hopeful or optimistic UMT Tenant 2 ○ Reactions to uncertainty are predicated on emotions and appraisals ○ Appraisal Theory: evaluations of events based on relevance and likelihood of an event ○ Individuals appraise events in part on their emotional reactions to events ○ If a situation elicits positive emotions, then uncertainty likely will be evaluated positively ○ If a situation elicits negative emotions, then uncertainty likely will be evaluated negatively ○ If a situation does not elicit emotions then uncertainty will be appraised as inconsequential UMT Tenant 1 ○ People experience uncertainty when they perceive situations as ambiguous, complex, unpredictable, or probabilistic UMT Tenant 3 ○ Uncertainty management strategies are chosen based on appraisals ■ Uncertainty as an opportunity: avoid information/experiences or seek conflicting information ■ Uncertainty as a threat: seek information ■ Uncertainty as a chronic condition: learn to tolerate uncertainty

UMT and Genetic Testing ●

Huntington’s Disease--inherited brain condition in which an individual slowly loses control of their body

Critiques ● ●

Limitations: questions of validity Strengths: Heuristic, parsimonious, stood test of time...