Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Uncertainty Reduction Theory is about how communication between humans were first developed as strangers by focusing on gaining knowledge and understanding at which the initial interactions are filled with uncertainties, these uncertainties are reduces with self-disclosure (Griffin, 2009, p. 125). In this post i will use Peter Klaven and Sydney Fife from the movie "I Love You, Man" on how Uncertainty Reduction Theory is the relevant in our daily life.

The 2009 hit film, "I Love You, Man"

In Dawkins, Uncertainty Reduction Theory claims "that the primary goal of individuals in initial interactions is to reduce uncertainty and increase the ability to predict behavior of others." As supported by Yoo (2009), "The basic assumption of uncertainty reduction is that when two individuals meet for the first time, their primary goal is to reduce uncertainty and increase predictability through communicating with each other, since uncertainty is an uncomfortable state (Berger &  Calabrese, 1975)" Whereas Palmieri, Prestano, Gandley, Overton & Qin (2012), adds that "Uncertainty reduction is the exchange of information between individuals that allows one to form impressions of others and make sense of social situations (Sheldon, 2010)." In other words, when strangers meet for the first time, there is that uncertainty between them and the goal to communicate is to reduce that uncertainty and increase predictability among both individuals.

Peter Klaven is a real estate agent who is getting married with his fiancé Zooey Rice but his marriage has led him to look a best man for his wedding due to his lack of or no male best friends. Whereas Sydney Fife is a successful investor who has keen interest in recently divorced wives. There are three conditions to reduce uncertainty, they are; 'anticipation of future interaction', 'incentive value' and 'deviance' (Griffin, 2009, p. 125). In Peter's situation, his intention to reduce uncertainty with Sydney is; first, to arrange or have more future interactions or 'hang outs' with Sydney; his new male best friend.  Second, to finally get his first 'male best friend' and lastly, Sydney's weird behavior this contrary to Peter’s demeanor is increasing Peter’s desire to reduce uncertainty with Sydney.

Peter Klaven and Sydney Fife

Peter's and Sydney's first interaction was during an open house at Lou Ferrigno's mansion that was held by Peter himself. Peter was astound by Sydney's honesty and hit off very despite having different characters. Peter's first phone call with Sydney was awkward where he hesitated on whether to call him or not, what to say and most importantly what not to say. This is called 'behavioral questions', an uncertainty in which one does not know how to act (Griffin, 2009, 126.). After hitting off well with Sydney, Peter's uncertainty of what type of guy Peter is lead to him arrange a 'man-date' with him, this type of uncertainty is called 'cognitive questions', it is reduces by attaining information such as Sydney's character as cool, affirmative and confident man. Berger suggests a series of axioms as stated in Griffin (2009) are "a self-evident truth that requires no additional proof". While as noted by Dawkins (2010), "a master list of uncertainty reduction concept"; 'verbal communication', 'nonverbal warmth', 'information seeking', 'self-disclosure', 'reciprocity', 'similarity', 'liking' and 'shared networks'. This reduce in uncertainty is essential as supported by Yoo (2009), by decreasing uncertainty, an individual increases his or her ability to predict certainty about his or herself and other's demeanor and this leads to the reduction of anxiety and vulnerability due to initial uncertainty. 

Peter's and Sydney's first interaction at Ferrigno's mansion

In the 2009 hit film, "I Love You, Man", after Peter's and Sydney's initial interaction in Ferrigno's mansion, they went on a man-date, the amount of 'verbal communication' increases from their conversation on intercourse, nicknames, fish tacos, hybrid cars, etc. This reduces their uncertainty of each other. Whereas for 'Nonverbal warmth', Sydney's relaxed and laid back body language and approach made Peter interested while Sydney finds Peter as a 'pretty cool guy' and this again reduces uncertainty between them. Peter's high level of uncertainty about Sydney and this caused  Peter to 'Information Seeking' about him more. Berger claims that for 'seeking information', there are 3 approaches, firstly as stated in Griffin (2009, p. 130), 'Passive strategy' is "impression formation by observing a person interacting with other", Peter observes Sydney 'testosterone outburst' during their lunch out at the Venice Boardwalk and seen something that he's never used to this has surprisingly made a good impression on Peter. Second, 'Active Strategy' is asking others or a third party regarding that person while the quickest route to reducing uncertainty is the 'interactive strategy' which is face-to-face interaction with the individual (Griffin, 2009, p.130-131). The 'interactive strategy' is often used by both Peter and Sydney throughout the film during their 'hang outs'.

Those frequent jamming sessions to reduce uncertainty

'Self-disclosure', Peter shares his personal intimate relationship about Zooey with Sydney where Sydney disclosure his personal 'man-cave', this is not only a process of 'self-disclosure' but also a 'reciprocity' process between them. The 'similarities' in their interest in Rush and jamming session further decline uncertainty and they become close and as the film goes on they both a 'liking' for each other and went out on more 'man-date' with each other where their 'shared network' of being Rush fans decreases their uncertainty. Through pairing theorems, as noted in Griffin (2009, p. 128), are "a proposition that logically and necessarily follows from two axioms", and axioms, this creates 28 theorem altogether.

Message plans are mental images of action scenarios that may be applied to acquire goals, they are used to confront uncertainties and Berger argues these plans are 'hierarchically organized' where vague illustrations of the top hierarchy to the bottom are assumed (Griffin, 2009), in other words, Peter's top priority in the film was to find a male best friend and subsequently a best man for his wedding according to his chronological order of 'plan'. To these message plans, there are strategies; 'Seeking Information', 'Choosing Plan Complexity', 'Hedging' and 'The Hierarchy Hypothesis'.  'Choosing Plan Complexity' as claimed in Griffin (2009), "A character of a message plan based on the level of detail it provides and the number of contingencies it cover". Furthermore, 'Hedging' is the strategic use of vague and ambiguity for both individuals to 'save themselves' from embarrassment after failing to attain their goals, or in other words, this can be a joke to cover up a failed attempt in communication between two parties (Griffin, 2009, p.131). Lastly, 'The Hierarchy Hypothesis', this is when a parties does not understand the message that is sent by this the individual tries to alter his or her voice by making it louder and repeating it again and again, this can be seen when Peter and Zooey had a fight which lead to Peter's failure to explain and reason why Zooey, he tries to alter his voice and tone but to no avail.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory is relevant in our daily lives because it encourage people to critically think when they meet new people as the Uncertainty Reduction Theory has its own flaws such as most often communication is done due to care and interest, uncertainty does lies beyond the first few interactions and in terms of moral panic; sometimes, it is best to know less than more. Hence by studying Uncertainty Reduction Theory we can choose our 'best moves' during interaction or encounters by not so depending on the axioms, theorem or even the message plans.

References:

Dawkins, M. (2010). How it's Done: Using Hitch as a Guide to Uncertainty Reduction Theory. Communication Teacher, 24(3), 136-141. doi:10.1080/17404622.2010.489511

Griffin, E. (2009). A First Look At Communication Theory (7th ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Palmieri, C., Prestano, K., Gandley, R., Overton, E., & Qin, Z. (2012). The Facebook Phenomenon: Online Self-Disclosure and Uncertainty Reduction. China Media Research, 8(1), 48-53.

Yoo, J. H. (2009). Uncertainty Reduction and Information Valence: Tests of Uncertainty Reduction Theory, Predicted Outcome Value and an Alternative Explanation?. Human Communication, 12(2), 187-198.