Not Bad After All: Uncertainty Reduction Theory in Interpersonal Communication
Part One In 1975, two researchers by the names of Charles Berger and Richard Caprese, developed Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT). Uncertainty Reduction Theory is both how interpersonal communication is affected by lack of knowledge and how people use communication to gather information. This theory was found on Berger’s observation of initialed interactions with individuals exchanging public information. As the interactions progressed, they changed in predictable ways (Solomon D. H, 2008). An assumption of URT is that when people experience uncertainty, they will try to gather information to reduce the uncertainty about the future behaviors of others. The two mechanisms, Proactive and Retroactive, are why Uncertainty Reduction is a motivating factor for communication. Proactive mechanisms are attempts to decrease uncertainty prior to interaction. Retroactive …show more content…
Both mechanisms prompt individuals to predict future behavior and reduce uncertainty. Within Proactive and Retroactive, people use three types strategies to get to know an individual: passive, active and interactive strategies. Passive strategy is unnoticeably observing to gain information about a person. For example, Facebook “creeping”. Active strategy is asking others to gain information about a person. For example, meeting up with a friend and asking “Hey, do you know anything about that girl?” Interactive strategy is communicating directly to the person to gain information. Asking “How are you?” or “What’s your name?” are examples (Antheunis, M. L, 2011). When to use each strategy can depend on the situation, and they may be used together. Although, you may gather misconceptions about an individual based on
Part One In 1975, two researchers by the names of Charles Berger and Richard Caprese, developed Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT). Uncertainty Reduction Theory is both how interpersonal communication is affected by lack of knowledge and how people use communication to gather information. This theory was found on Berger’s observation of initialed interactions with individuals exchanging public information. As the interactions progressed, they changed in predictable ways (Solomon D. H, 2008). An assumption of URT is that when people experience uncertainty, they will try to gather information to reduce the uncertainty about the future behaviors of others. The two mechanisms, Proactive and Retroactive, are why Uncertainty Reduction is a motivating factor for communication. Proactive mechanisms are attempts to decrease uncertainty prior to interaction. Retroactive …show more content…
Both mechanisms prompt individuals to predict future behavior and reduce uncertainty. Within Proactive and Retroactive, people use three types strategies to get to know an individual: passive, active and interactive strategies. Passive strategy is unnoticeably observing to gain information about a person. For example, Facebook “creeping”. Active strategy is asking others to gain information about a person. For example, meeting up with a friend and asking “Hey, do you know anything about that girl?” Interactive strategy is communicating directly to the person to gain information. Asking “How are you?” or “What’s your name?” are examples (Antheunis, M. L, 2011). When to use each strategy can depend on the situation, and they may be used together. Although, you may gather misconceptions about an individual based on