Uncertainty Reduction

Theory
TheUncertainty Reduction Theoryalso known asInitial
Interaction Theory, developed in 1975 byCharles Bergerand
Richard Calabrese, is acommunication theoryfrom the
post-positivisttradition. It is one of the only communication theories
that specifically looks into the initial interaction between people
prior to the actual communication process.

Charles Berger and Richard calabrese

two primary sub-processes of

uncertainty reduction
.Predictionrefers to the ability to forecast

one's and other's behavioral choices.

Explanationrefers to the ability to interpret
the meaning of behavioral choices

Assumptions
People experience uncertainty ininterpersonalsettings.
Uncertainty is an aversive state, generatingcognitivestress.
When strangers meet, their primary concern is to reduce

their uncertainty or to increase predictability.

Interpersonal communication is a developmental process
that occurs through stages.
Interpersonal communication is the primary means of
uncertainty reduction.
The quantity and nature of information that people share
change through time.
It is possible to predict people's behavior in a lawlike
fashion.

Types of uncertainty
According to the uncertainty reduction theory,

in initial interactions there are two types of

uncertainty. A person will either have
cognitiveuncertainty orbehavioral
uncertainty. Cognitive uncertainty pertains to
the level of uncertainty associated with the
cognition(beliefs and attitudes) of each other
in the situation

Stages of relational
development
Theentry stageof relational development is characterized by the use of

behavioralnorms. Meaning individuals begin interactions under the

guidance of implicit and explicit rules and norms, such as pleasantly
greeting someone or laughing at ones innocent jokes. The contents of the
exchanges are often dependent on cultural norms. The level of involvement
will increase as the strangers move into the second stage
Thesecond stage, orpersonal phase, occurs when strangers begin to
explore one another'sattitudesandbeliefs. Individuals typically enter this
stage after they have had several entry stage interactions with a stranger.
One will probe the other for indications of theirvalues,moralsandpersonal
issues.Emotionalinvolvement tends to increase as disclosure increases
Thefinal stageof interactional development is theexit phase. Here, the
former strangers decide whether they want to continue to develop a
relationship. If there is no mutual liking, either can choose not to pursue a
relationship

Axioms
and
theorems

Berger and Calabrese propose a series of

axioms to explain the connection between

their central concept of uncertainty and seven
key variables of relationship development:
verbal communication, nonverbal warmth,
information seeking,self-disclosure,
reciprocity, similarity, and liking.[8]The
uncertainty reduction theory usesscientific
methodologyand deductive reasoning to reach
conclusions.

AXIOMS
Axiom 1 -Verbal communication: Given the high level of uncertainty present at the onset

of the entry phase, as the amount ofverbal communicationbetween strangers increases,

the level of uncertainty for each interactant in the relationship will decrease. As uncertainty
is further reduced, the amount of verbal communication will increase.[2]It is also important to
consider recently published work by Berger, in which, he states the importance of
appropriate levels of verbal communication, where too much verbal communication may
lead to information seeking by the other party.[10]
Axiom 2 -Non-verbal warmth: As non-verbal affiliate expressiveness increases,
uncertainty levels will decrease in an initial interaction situation. In addition, decreases in
uncertainty level will cause increases in non-verbal affiliative expressiveness [2]
Axiom 3 -Information seeking: High levels of uncertainty cause increases in informationseeking behavior. As uncertainty levels decline, information-seeking behavior declines [2]
Axiom 4 -Self-disclosure: High levels of uncertainty in a relationship cause decreases in
theintimacylevel of communication content. Low levels of uncertainty produce high levels
of intimacy[2]
Axiom 5 -Reciprocity: High levels of uncertainty produce high rates of reciprocity. Low
levels of uncertainty produce low rates of reciprocity.[2]
Axiom 6 -Similarity: Similarities between persons reduce uncertainty, while
dissimilarities produce increases in uncertainty[2]
Axiom 7 -Liking: Increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in liking; decreases in
uncertainty produce increases in liking.[2]

THEOREMS
Amount of verbal communication and nonverbal affiliative expressiveness are positively related.
Amount of verbal communication and intimacy level of communication are positively related.
Amount of verbal communication and information seeking behavior are inversely related.
Amount of verbal communication and reciprocity rate are inversely related
Amount of verbal communication and liking are positively related.
Amount of verbal communication and similarity are positively related.
Nonverbal affiliative expressiveness and intimacy level of communication content are positively related.
Nonverbal affiliative expressiveness and information seeking and information seeking are inversely

related.
Nonverbal affiliative expressiveness and reciprocity rate are inversely related.
Nonverbal affiliative expressiveness and liking are positively related.
Nonverbal affiliative expressiveness and similarity are positively related.
Information seeking and reciprocity are positively related.
Information seeking and liking are negatively related.
Information seeking and similarity are negatively related.
Intimacy level and reciprocity are negatively related.
Intimacy level and similarity are positively related.
Intimacy level and liking are posiivelyy related.
Reciprocity rate and liking are negatively related.
Reciprocity rate and similarity are negatively related.
Similarity and liking are positively related

Uncertainty reduction
strategies
According to Berger, If a person were to

observe another in their natural environment,

intentionally unnoticeable, to gain information
on another, would be categorized as using a
passivetactic for reducing uncertainties
An active strategist would result to means of
reducing uncertainties without any personal
direct contact
An interactive strategist would directly
confront the individual and engage in some
form of dialog to reduce the uncertainties
between the two