Theories Of Uncertainty Reduction Theory

- The context of communication in these studies is interpersonal communication with a specific focus on intimacy in romantic relationships and in computer mediated communication, respectively.

- The researchers primarily relied on Uncertainty Reduction Theory while conducting this study. This theory, through the development of eight axioms and 21 theorems, essentially states that individuals feel more comfortable around other individuals when they have a lower amount of uncertainty about the other’s thoughts and behaviors and thus are likely to try to reduce their uncertainty accordingly (Berger & Calabrese, 1975). Uncertainty Reduction Theory is focused on relational communication.

- The first study tested three hypotheses. The overall focus was on increased intimacy in romantic relationships as a result of open communication about relational uncertainty in the process reducing said uncertainty. Hypothesis 1 can be explained as: the higher the uncertainty is regarding the individual, the individual’s partner, and their relationship, the lower the level of intimacy. This essentially means that your perception of intimacy, or closeness, in a relationship is going to be lower when you, your partner, and your relationship have more uncertainty. Hypothesis 2 states that when couples openly communicate about their uncertainties in the relationship, they feel more intimacy in their relationship. Talking about your doubts, fears, unanswered questions, etc. creates a sense of closeness. Hypothesis 3 states that when the relationship uncertainty is decreased, there will be an increase in intimacy. The researchers emphasized the significance of the uncertainty reduction process on the increase in intimacy as opposed to lowering un...

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...ther” strategies.

- The researchers reported a limitation in their study in regards to the focus in their data collection. They noted that their data pertains to amount of uncertainty reduction as opposed to feelings of intimacy.

- While both studies focused on interpersonal communication and uncertainty reduction theory, the values measured were intriguingly different. In the first study, the focus was on the use of uncertainty reduction strategies as a process by which one creates intimacy in addition to the more common idea of less uncertainty equaling more intimacy. The second study focused on individuals’ concerns and their effects on whether they chose to engage in that process and with which strategies. These studies had the same focus as the original theory with nuances and details that were not originally covered by Charles Berger and Richard Calabrese.