UNCERTAINTY REDUCTION THEORY Brittney Hamilton Uncertainty Reduction Theory

UNCERTAINTY REDUCTION THEORY Brittney Hamilton

Uncertainty Reduction Theory Focuses on how human communication is used to gain knowledge and create understanding

Charles Berger’s URT Berger assumes that when strangers meet, the greatest concern is increasing predictability about the behavior of both oneself and the other person.

Contributors to the desire to reduce uncertainty according to Berger ey Th e- t c n an re vi iffe De e d us ar an th ve ha u o ay y M ng i ey th Th me so nt wa n io at ill ct w pe ou Ex at y them th eet m ain ag

UR: To Predict and Explain � Fritz Heider v. Attribution Theory: Explains how people make assumptions about other peoples’ character through observing their behavior Behavioral vs. Cognitive Berger focuses on Cognitive: Acquiring information that allows you to correct many previous possible thoughts about the person �

An Axiomatic Theory v. Axiom A self-evident truth that requires no additional proof Berger axioms to connect his concept of uncertainty with variables of relationship development

Axioms � � Verbal Communication Nonverbal Warmth � Information Seeking � Self-Disclosure � Reciprocity � Similarity � Liking � Shared Networks

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The Logical Force of Uncertainty Axioms � Berger inserts these axioms into the pattern of � If A=B � And B=C � Then A=C v. Theorem A proposition that logically and necessarily follows from two axioms

Theorem Chart � + means the two variables will rise or fall together � - means that as one increases, the other decreases

Message Plans v. Message Plans Mental representations of action sequences that may be used to achieve goals Main Goal Overall Strategy Abstract Action Specific More concrete Action Specific Action

� Berger provides some strategies that, for him, answer the questions of How individuals cope with the inevitable uncertainties they must face when constructing messages or Ø How a person eludes embarrassment, anger, rejection, and other downside risks associated with using a given message Ø

Seeking Information e v i s v. Pas gy e t a r t S e v i t c v. A y g e t Stra e v i t c a r e t n I v y g e t Stra

Choosing Plan Complexity v. Plan Complexity A characteristic of a message plan based on the level of detail it provides and the number of contingencies it covers

Strategy- Hedging v. Hedging Saving face on the parts of both parties through ambiguity and humor when a message fails to reach the desired goal

The Hierarchy Hypothesis v. Hierarchy Hypothesis Predicts that when people are frustrated in their attempts to achieve goals, they first tend to alter lower level elements of their message

Anxiety/Uncertainty Management Theory � William Gudykunst �Inspired by Berger, William applied some axioms and theorems to intercultural settings v. AUM Theory An intercultural theory that claims high levels of uncertainty and anxiety lead to greater misunderstanding when strangers don’t communicate mindfully

AUM vs. URT n tio a c i un m m o C y e K ble a i r va al Go AUM Anxiety and Uncertainty as twin threats v Effective Communication: Concept of having mutual understanding and minimizing misunderstanding � URT � Uncertainty � Closeness or relational satisfaction

AUM � Multiple Causes of Anxiety/Uncertainty � Lower and Upper levels for fear and doubt Mindfulness The process of thinking in new categories, being open to new information, and recognizing multiple perspectives v URT � Axioms and Theorems

PROS � � � Straightforward Logically consistent Simple to understand CONS � � Theorem 17 No motivation to seek information through the three Anticipation of future interaction incentive value Deviance