Comm Theory Test 2

Front 1

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Back 1

Berger focuses on how human communication is used to gain knowledge and create understanding. And to develop familiarity.

Front 2

Reducing uncertainty is influenced by:

Back 2

1. Anticipating future interaction

2. Inventive value: they have something we want

3. Deviance: they act in a weird way

Front 3

uncertainty reduction

Back 3

increased knowledge of what kind of a person another is, which provides an improved forecast of how a future interaction will turn out.

Front 4

2 kinds of uncertainty

Back 4

1. Behavioral questions: how do i act? reduce uncertainty by following protocol

2. cognitive questions: what does she/ he like? reduced uncertainty through info seeking.

Front 5

axiom

Back 5

self evident truth that requires no additional proof

Front 6

Verbal communication:

Back 6

given the high level of uncertainty present, the more verbal comm, the less uncertainty. the less uncertainty, the more comm.

Front 7

nonverbal warmth:

Back 7

as nonverbal affiliative expressiveness increases, uncertainty levels will decrease.

Front 8

info seeking

Back 8

the more uncertainty, the more info seeking

Front 9

self disclosure

Back 9

the more uncertainty, the less self disclosure

Front 10

reciprocity

Back 10

the more uncertainty the more reciprocity

Front 11

similarity

Back 11

the more similarity, the less uncertainty

Front 12

liking

Back 12

the more liking, the less uncertainty

Front 13

shared networks

Back 13

the more shared networks, the less uncertainty

Front 14

cognitive complexity

Back 14

even if you are cognitively complex, Berger claims you still might not be able to reach your goal of building a relationship

Front 15

Three ways to seek info:

Back 15

Passive strategy: observe others from a distance

active strategy: ask a third party for info

interactive strategy: ask directly

Front 16

plan complexity

Back 16

a characteristic of a message plan based on the level of detail it provides and the number of contingencies it covers.

simpler approach is preferred because a complex plan takes so much effort that theres usually a deterioration in verbal and nonverbal fluency

Front 17

hedging

Back 17

use of strategic ambiguity and humor to provide a way for both parties to save face when a message fails to achieve its goal.

Front 18

Hierarchy hypothesis

Back 18

when individuals are thwarted in their attempts to achieve goals, their first tendency is to alter lower level elements of their message

Front 19

cognitive miser

Back 19

people who rather try a quick fix than expend the effort to repair faulty plans.

Front 20

Anxiety/Uncertainty Management Theory (AUM)

Back 20

intercultural theory that claims that high levels of uncertainty and anxiety lead to greater misunderstandings when strangers dont communicate mindfully.

Front 21

AUM differs from URT how?

Back 21

Anxiety: uncertainty and anxiety are twin threats that must be managed to achieve affective comm. they are basic cause of intercultural misunderstanding

Effective comm:the end goal of AUM theory is effective communication rather than closeness or relational satisfaction. minimizing misunderstanding is key

multiple causes of anxiety: vast array of axioms

thresholds for fear and doubt: we have a min level of apprehension that makes us communicate well but too much anxiety makes us paralyzed by fear and fall back on neg stereotypes or withdraw from convo

mindfullness: mindfullness is the way strangers can reduce anxiety to optimum levels. we are mindful when we process thinking in new categories, being open, and recognizing multiple perspectives.

Front 22

Critique about URT

Back 22

The more you like ppl, the less youll seek info about them. Maybe not true? You should want to seek more info about people you like more. wanting knowledge is what promotes info seeking, not lacking knowledge. Also anticipated future interaction, incentive value, and deviance may not be a kick for us to seek info in others.

Sunnafrank says that Predicted Outcome Value (costs and benefits) is what our goal of initial interaction. we'd rather maximize outcomes than actually wanna find out who the other person is.