Week 11 - Uncertainty Reduction Theory

West & Turner (2010) stated Uncertainty theory is when individuals meet for the first time without knowing each other which their concern would be to reduce their uncertainties due to the fact both of them feel uncomfortable knowing little among themselves. (West & Turner, 2010). To my understanding, this theory is study of relationship between individuals whom just meet for the first time. Charles (1982, p.56) states that Reducing feelings of uncertainty in the interaction is the process to understand another person so the individuals would increasingly feel confident and secure with each other. (P.56)

As cited by Griffin (March 7, 2011), Berger proposed a series of axioms to explain the connection between his central concept of uncertainty and eight key variables of relationship development: verbal communication, nonverbal warmth, information seeking, self-disclosure, reciprocity, similarity, liking and shared networks. Axioms are traditionally regarded as self-evident truths that require no additional proof. Berger's eight truths about initial uncertainty. (Griffin. E. A, March 7, 2011, p. 127-128) are as follows:

Axioms 1, Verbal Communication: As the level amount of verbal communication between strangers increases, the level of uncertainty for each interactant in the relationship will decrease.

Axioms 2, Nonverbal Warmth: As nonverbal affliative expressiveness increases, uncertainty levels will decrease. Decreases in uncertainty level will cause increase in nonverbal affliative expressiveness.

Axiom 3, Information Seeking: High levels of uncertainty cause increases in information-seeking behaviour. As uncertainty levels decline, information seeking behaviour decreases.

Axiom 4, Self-disclosure: High levels of uncertainty in a relationship cause decrease in the intimacy level of communication content. Low levels of uncertainty produce high levels of intimacy.

Axiom 5, Reciprocity: High level of uncertainty produces high rates of reciprocity. Low levels of uncertainty produce low levels of reciprocity.

Axiom 6, Similarity: Similarities between people reduces uncertainty, while dissimilarities produce increases in uncertainty.

Axiom 7, Liking: Increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in liking; decrease in uncertainty produce increases in liking.

Axiom 8, Shared Networks: Shared communication networks reduce uncertainty, while a lack of shared networks increases uncertainty. 

In this this theory I'll choose a movie This Means War as my example:

At the scene when Foster meet Lauren at the video store, when Lauren ask to poster to suggest movie for her. the next date, Foster invite her to go on a date in a club. On the first date, it didn't turn out very well as Lauren dont like to go to the club. The uncertainty came between Lauren and Foster as she bump into her ex-boyfriend which they have to pretend that they are lovers.

In conclusion, according to West and Turner, uncertainty theory happens when two or more individuals meet at the first time and being uncomfortable about each other's presence due to lack or no information known about each other. Charles in 1982 came out with the theory of reducing this awkward situation defined as the process of understanding each other so that each individuals feels secure and connected with each other. 

In 2011, Berger suggested 8 axioms to explain this theory reducing uncertainty and increasing confident namely, verbal communication, nonverbal warmth, information seeking, self-disclosure, reciprocity, similarity, liking and shared networks by which this process undergoes the process of verbal introduction by each other and eventually in the end shares the same connection. 

References:

Griffin, Emory A (March 7, 2011). Uncertainty Reduction Theory of Charles Berger : A First Look at COMMUNICATION THEORY (8th ed.), New York, America: MCGRAW-HILL.

West, R., Turner, L., H., (2010) Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application (4th Ed). New York. McGraw Hill.

Berger, C.R. (1982). Language and social knowledge: uncertainty in interpersonal relations. London: Arnold