Uncertainty Reduction Theory

DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT

S COVER

The Uncertainty Reduction Theory explains and predicts interpersonal communication during the beginning of an interation. A core assumption of this theory is that when strangers meet, they seek to reduce uncertainty about each other

What is it???

Interviews

First dates

When do we use it?

Berger (1979) and Calabrese (1975) intially presented this theory as a series of axioms

theoroms that describe the relationships between uncertainty and several

communication factors.

Berger+Calabrese=URT

Using interviews and questionnaires, Parks and Adelman found that people who received support for their romantic involvement from family and friends expressed less uncertainty

about their relationships.

No matter who you are or

where you are you use this

theory all the time!

Critics have argued that reducing uncertainty is not the driving force of

interaction. Michael Sunnafrank’s predicted outcome value theory (1986) indicated that the actual motivation for

interaction is a desire for positive relational experiences.

REFERENCES• Infante, D. A., Rancer, A. S., & Avtgis, T. A. (2010). Contemporary communication theory. (1 ed., Vol. 1, pp.

252-257). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.• Images from Google