Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Uncertainty reduction theory (URT), formulated by Charles Berger and his colleagues, strives to explain how people communicate when they are unsure about their environment. The theory, in its original form, limited its claims to the context of strangers meeting for the first time. Although URT borrowed some concepts from information theory and attribution theory, it is notable as one of the first theories of interpersonal communication to originate within the field instead of being borrowed from another scholarly discipline. This entry will describe the theory, review its major applications, and identify its strengths and weaknesses.

URT defines uncertainty as people's inability to predict or explain their own behavior or the behavior of others. The theory identifies two types of uncertainty that are prominent in social situations. Cognitive uncertainty arises when individuals are [Page 977]unsure about their own beliefs or the beliefs of others. Behavioral uncertainty occurs when people are unsure about their own actions or the actions of others. In sum, uncertainty exists when individuals lack information about their surroundings.

According to the theory, people are especially motivated to reduce uncertainty under three conditions: incentives, deviation, and anticipation of future interaction. Individuals are particularly curious about a partner who may be a source of incentives such as social support, respect, and loyalty. Moreover, people are especially compelled to seek information when others deviate from predictable behavior and act in unexpected ways. Finally, individuals particularly desire to alleviate uncertainty when they expect to engage in future interaction with a person.

URT proposes a set of axioms about the correspondence between uncertainty and communication. An axiom specifies a causal relationship assumed to exist between two variables. The theory's original seven axioms are as follows:

In addition to formulating axioms about the link between uncertainty and communication, URT deduces 21 theorems by pairing each axiom with every other axiom. A theorem predicts covariation between two variables. Examples of URT's theorems are as follows:

URT identifies three categories of strategies people use to seek information. Passive strategies involve watching the target person unobtrusively. Examples of passive strategies include observing how the target person reacts to others, how he or she compares to others, and how the target person behaves in informal settings. Active strategies require individuals to take action to obtain information without interacting with the target person directly. Behaviors that fall into this category include asking third parties for information and structuring a situation to see how the target person responds. Interactive strategies entail communicating directly with the target person. Examples of interactive strategies include asking questions, disclosing in the hopes that the target person will disclose as well, and relaxing the target person so he or she will feel comfortable sharing information.

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