Analysis of the Uncertainty Reduction Theory on Interpersonal Communication
Analysis of the Uncertainty Reduction theory on interpersonal communication
Through this paper I will conduct an analysis of the uncertainty reduction theory and will then apply it to my own experience here in Colorado university.
This theory has been subject to many articles and studies in the communication and social departments. Indeed, studying this theory can help us understanding human relations in interpersonal communication. Each of us has been one day confronted to uncertainty, whereas in initial encounters, or moving to a new a new place, or beginning a new work.
This theory is particularly important for me as I experienced high uncertainty when I first arrived here in Colorado. When everything and everybody is unknown for you, you deeply try to reduce this uncertainty by all the ways possible.
Human, by nature doesn´t like the unknown, and he has this innate will and motivation to reduce in order to feel more comfortable and at ease. It´s particularly true for initial encounters where there is a mutual high levels of uncertainty "When strangers meet, their primary concern is one of uncertainty reduction or increasing predictability about the behavior of both themselves and the others in the interaction"(Berger and Calabrese). According to Charles Berger, we all experience some deal of anxiety during initial encounters because we are unable to predict or control how the relationship will progress. That is why most of us develop an innate wish and desire to seek information in order to reassure oneself and to feel more secure.
The main focus of this theory is that peope seek information to reduce uncertainty in order to create a more predictable and controlled relationship. The most common way of reducing uncertainty is via information-seeking. There are three basic ways people seek information about another person:
· By using passive strategies which involves the observation of the others without mahing them aware of it. It can be like paying
Through this paper I will conduct an analysis of the uncertainty reduction theory and will then apply it to my own experience here in Colorado university.
This theory has been subject to many articles and studies in the communication and social departments. Indeed, studying this theory can help us understanding human relations in interpersonal communication. Each of us has been one day confronted to uncertainty, whereas in initial encounters, or moving to a new a new place, or beginning a new work.
This theory is particularly important for me as I experienced high uncertainty when I first arrived here in Colorado. When everything and everybody is unknown for you, you deeply try to reduce this uncertainty by all the ways possible.
Human, by nature doesn´t like the unknown, and he has this innate will and motivation to reduce in order to feel more comfortable and at ease. It´s particularly true for initial encounters where there is a mutual high levels of uncertainty "When strangers meet, their primary concern is one of uncertainty reduction or increasing predictability about the behavior of both themselves and the others in the interaction"(Berger and Calabrese). According to Charles Berger, we all experience some deal of anxiety during initial encounters because we are unable to predict or control how the relationship will progress. That is why most of us develop an innate wish and desire to seek information in order to reassure oneself and to feel more secure.
The main focus of this theory is that peope seek information to reduce uncertainty in order to create a more predictable and controlled relationship. The most common way of reducing uncertainty is via information-seeking. There are three basic ways people seek information about another person:
· By using passive strategies which involves the observation of the others without mahing them aware of it. It can be like paying
References: Uncertainty Reduction and Communication Satisfaction during Initial Interaction: An Initial Test and Replication of a New Axiom. By: Neuliep, James W.; Grohskopf, Erica L.. Communication Reports, Summer2000, Vol. 13 Issue 2, p67, 11p; (AN 3744394 Motivation to Reduce Uncertainty.Management Communication Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 2, November 1999 305-316 © 1999 Sage Publications, Inc. www.tcw.utwente.nl Close communicating in relationships encounters, Laura K Guerrero, Peter A Anderson, Walid A Afifi, 2001 Information Seeking and Avoiding in Health Contexts Hum. Commun. Res., Apr 2002; 28: 258 - 271. http://www.afirstlook.com/manual5/ed5man10.pdf