Toward a developmental theory of interpersonal communication 1975. Uncertainty, anxiety, and adaptation sciencedirect. If you have access to a journal via a society or association membership, please browse to your society journal, select an article to view, and follow the instructions in this box. Jan 15, 2016 given the high level of uncertainty present at the onset of the entry phase, as the amount of verbal communication between strangers increases, the level of uncertainty for each interactant in the relationship will decrease. Berger and calabrese claim that as the interaction proceeds we gain information that quickly. For a more comprehensive look into uncertainty reduction theory its history, past research, and researchers, see mark v. Dec 24, 2019 we tackle such concerns by proposing entropy as a measure for a tweet. The most common way of reducing uncertainty is via informationseeking, questioning the other person, for example about their background.
The main assumption is that uncertainty creates cognitive discomfort, which people will try to reduce. The uncertainty reduction theory, also known as initial interaction theory, developed in 1975 by charles berger and richard calabrese, is a communication. Understanding the uncertainty of disaster tweets and its. Uncertainty reduction theory urt is a theory from the field of interpersonal communication that seeks to explain how uncertainty, or lack of knowledge, drives interpersonal communication. Communication privacy management theory petronio, 1991 explains information management in both established and developing relationships. Any of three prior conditionsanticipation of future interaction, incentive value, or deviancecan boost our drive to reduce uncertainty. When ignorance is bliss the role of motivation to reduce. Uncertainty reduction occurs primarily by questioning new acquaintances in an attempt to gather information about them. Based on the perspectives of uncertainty reduction theory urt, we theorize that the more uncertain information of a disaster tweet, the higher the entropy, which will lead to a lower retweet count.
A practitioners guide to interpersonal communication theory. It states that people need to reduce uncertainty about other individuals by gaining information about them. Berger and calabrese 1975 define uncertainty as having a number of possible alternative predictions or explanations. Understanding uncertainty reduction theory yusuf yuksel rutgers university introduction although communication is key concept in the process of initiating.
Understanding the why behind successful events is fundamental to creating unique and successful. It is one of the only communication theories that specifically looks into the initial interaction between people prior to the actual communication. The uncertainty reduction theory, also known as initial interaction theory, developed in 1975 by charles berger and richard calabrese, is a communication theory from the postpositivist tradition. Urt is a seminal theory in the field of interpersonal communicat. Axioms and theorems of uncertainty reduction theory axioms of uncertainty reduction theory. A case study examining uncertainty reduction theory in. I am not a communication student, but the article has switched on some insights within. This information can then be used to predict peoples.
Pdf when ignorance is bliss the role of motivation to reduce. The model proffered in this paper extends the theory to account for uncertainty reduction during intercultural encounters. Uncertainty reduction theory project gutenberg self. Uncertainty reduction theory iowa state university digital. Applying uncertainty reduction theory to the study of nonverbal. Relational uncertainty and interpersonal communication. Preference of social networking sites for uncertainty. How are these relationships developed, and how do they build.
According to urt, uncertainty reduction is the gathering of. Charles berger and richard calabrese 1975 observed that when we interact with strangers, we experience uncertainty because we dont really know what to expect. Aug 17, 2017 this feature is not available right now. Uncertainty reduction theory rests on several basic assumptions. Pdf understanding uncertainty reduction theory yusuf yuksel. One danger is that this traditional approach leads executives to view uncertainty in a binary wayto assume that the world is either. Uncertainty reduction theory theory social psychology. Uncertainty reduction theory treats uncertainty as an aversive state that individuals always aim to reduce. This will be accomplished by studying uncertainty reduction strategies as employed by individuals from a variety of gaming communities. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Uncertainty abounds in interpersonal communication situations because social interactions are inherently unpredictable. Hebbani and others published the intercultural hiring interview. Central to its claim is the assumption that an individuals primary goal in initial communication is to increase predictability and decrease uncertainty of ones own behaviors and the behaviors of others 15. Understanding the role of intrapersonal uncertainty in the experience and expression of jealousy in crosssex friendships jennifer l.
Axioms and theorems of uncertainty reduction theory. Information gained can then be used to predict the others behavior. Through a qualitative approach and a case study method in cilandak subdistrict, this research tried to analyze how educators underwent mutations using strategies from uncertainty reduction theory. It is one of the first frameworks to originate within the discipline, and it has spawned extensive ongoing scholarship on uncertainty within dyadic domains.
As verbal output, nonverbal warmth, selfdisclosure, similarity, and shared communication networks increase, uncertainty decreasesand vice versa. The uncertainty reduction theory was developed by charles chuck berger. Two assumptions of the theory are empirically testable. Information seeking and reciprocity are positively correlated with uncertainty. When people meet, their primary concern is to reduce uncertainty about each other and their relationship. Some explorations in initial interaction and beyond.
Pov employed a social exchange perspective to derive competing predictions. Uncertainty reduction theory has been used in recent years to study intercultural interaction, organizational socialization and interactions on social media. In contrast, although anxiety uncertainty management theory and approaches to uncertainty management discuss uncertainty as an aversive state, they also provide for conditions under which uncertainty might be a desired state. Uncertainty can make people avoid a situation or behavior. Uncertainty reduction theory urt was originally developed to explain initial communication interactions between strangers. Uncertainty reduction theory knobloch major reference.
A motivational extension of social identity theory is proposed. Uncertainty reduction theory urt seeks to explain how people think and behave during the initial stages of relationship development. Isbn 9780 uncertainty reduction theory urt was originally developed to explain initial communication interactions between strangers. Uncertainty identity theory hogg 2000, 2007, 2012 is a social psychological theory that addresses the motivational components underlying intragroup and intergroup processes. Building on social identity theory and selfcategorization theory, a subjective uncertainty reduction model of motivation associated with social identity process and group and intergroup behavior is developed and described. Reducing uncertainty is particularly important in relationship development, so it is typical to find. Using hitch as a guide to uncertainty reduction theory.
The uncertainty reduction theory asserts that people have a need to reduce uncertainty about others by gaining information about them. We tackle such concerns by proposing entropy as a measure for a tweet. Uncertainty reduction theory communication studies. To predict and explain as the ability of persons to predict which alternative or alternatives are likely to occur next decreases, uncertainty increases. Uncertainty reduction theory urt proposes that when strangers initially meet they strive to reduce uncertainty and increase predictability about the others.
Uncertainty reduction texting the new friend to find out why he or she didnt call you last night is an effort to reduce your uncertaintyto understand what happened. Uncertainty reduction theory urt was originally created to explain the communication process that occurs when two strangers interact. Archived chapters pdf from previous editions are available in resources by type. Based on the perspectives of uncertainty reduction theory, we theorize that the more uncertain information of a disaster tweet, the higher the entropy, which will lead. Access to society journal content varies across our titles. Uncertainty reduction theory definition and examples. It theorizes that people are motivated to reduce uncertainty about important aspects of their self, life, and future. Axioms of uncertainty reduction theory open textbooks for. Uncertainty reduction theory scientific theories cognition. Assumption 3the reduction of cognitive uncertainty and affective anxiety exert independent influences on adaptation. Axioms of uncertainty reduction theory open textbooks. This page serves as a gateway to summaries of the communication theories you should understand after taking professor chadwicks comm 321 course, or before taking his comm 430530 course at oregon state university.
Gudykunst and hammer generated a communicationbased theory to explain intercultural adaptation. A recent application of uncertainty reduction theory is tara m. The theory was developed in order to explain how communication is used to reduce the level of uncertainty between people engaging in initial interactions. The uncertainty reduction theory also known as initial interaction theory, developed in 1975 by charles berger and richard calabrese, is a communication theory from the postpositivist tradition. This study investigates relationships between privacy concerns, uncertainty reduction behaviors, and selfdisclosure among online dating participants, drawing on uncertainty reduction theory and the warranting principle. When meeting new people for the first time are there some uncertainties that we can work through or reduce in order to build a healthy relat. For example, you might text your friend and ask what happened. A heuristic theory which states that individuals feel the need to reduce uncertainty in initial relationship interactions that occur facetoface in. When ignorance is bliss the role of motivation to reduce uncertainty in uncertainty reduction theory article pdf available in human communication research 171. Uncertainty reduction theory focuses on how human communication is used to gain knowledge and create understanding. This study investigates relationships between privacy concerns, uncertainty reduction behaviors, and selfdisclosure among online dating participants, drawing on uncertainty reduction theory and th. Current literature on both this theory and video games leaves several questions that will be pointed out and addressed. Three uncertainty reduction strategies on social network sites the core of uncertainty reduction theory urt.
Pdf understanding uncertainty reduction theory yusuf. This initial approach to uncertainty management theories dramatically shaped scholars understanding of the way people manage uncertainty, afifi, 2009, p. This theory contrasts uncertainty reduction theory by identifying reduction as only one of the many actions that people take when uncertainty arises. Urt is a seminal theory in the field of interpersonal communication for two reasons. This paper compares 3 theories examining the role of communication in producing and coping with subjective uncertainty. Pdf understanding the uncertainty of disaster tweets and. Pdf when ignorance is bliss the role of motivation to.
Uncertainty reduction theory free download as powerpoint presentation. Uncertainty reduction theory oregon state university. March22,20 onthe28thofapril2012thecontentsoftheenglishaswellasgermanwikibooksandwikipedia projectswerelicensedundercreativecommonsattributionsharealike3. People feel uncertain in initial interpersonal communication.
Uncertainty reduction theory has been widely used as a basis for studying intercultural and crosscultural communication. Uncertainty reduction theory is one of the major theories used to explain interpersonal communication between people of the same culture. Communication theoryuncertainty reduction wikibooks, open. Uncertainty reduction theory interpersonal communication.
Emmers and daniel canarys the effect of uncertainty reducing strategies on young couples relational repair and intimacy, communication quarterly 44 spring 1996. Psychology definition of uncertainty reduction theory urt. Uncertainty reduction theory is based on the central assumption that the primary concern of strangers upon initial interaction is to reduce uncertainty and increase predictability. Uncertainty reduction theory offers axioms and derived theorems that describe communicative and noncommunicative causes and consequences of uncertainty. Given the high level of uncertainty present at the onset of the entry phase, as the amount of verbal communication between strangers increases, the level of uncertainty for each interactant in the relationship will decrease. Redmonds 2015 chapter in the iowa state university digital. Three studies were conducted with the goal to articulate and test models for integrating the concept of motivation to reduce uncertainty into the axiomatic structure of uncertainty reduction theory. To that end, the following is a list of recent scholarship examining uncertainty reduction theory. Multiple models were considered, each model defining motivation to reduce uncertainty in a different way. Uncertainty reduction theory essaysrelationships are very important in most peoples lives.
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