UNCERTAIN UNCERTAINTY

“The beginnings of personal relationships are fraught with uncertainties.”

-Charles R. Berger

Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT) was initially presented as a series of axioms (universal truths which do not require proof) and theorems (propositions assumed to be true) which describe the relationships between uncertainty and several communication factors. URT was developed to describe the interrelationships between seven important factors in any dyadic exchange: verbal communication, nonverbal expressiveness, information-seeking behavior, intimacy, reciprocity, similarity, and liking. Charles Berger and Calabrese (1975)

This theory considers three Patterns of Developmental Stages: the Entry Stage, Personal Stage, and the Exit Phase.

Information about another’s age, sex, economic or social status, and other demographic information is obtained during the Entry Stage. And when communicators begin to share attitudes, beliefs, values, and more personal data, this is when Personal Stage begins. When communicators arrive to the Exit Phase, they decide on future interaction plans. They may discuss or negotiate ways to allow the relationship to grow and continue. However, any particular conversation maybe terminated at the end of the Entry Stage.

To understand this theory better, let me give an example.

During my high school days, I met an aloof type guy. We have common friends, so that served the way for us to meet. He always smiles but speaks very little whenever we talk. You’re lucky enough when you hear him talk for over fifteen seconds.J (Entry Stage)

And then after some time, he approached me and asked me to help him for his field study. Being kinda interested about him, I agreed and we started to be more comfortable than before. We started eating together, walking home together and other stuff like that including deeper understanding and concern for each other, as friends. (Personal Stage)

Unexpectedly after his field study, we rarely have seen or communicate with each other, neither via phone nor in person until now.L(Exit Phase)

When I learned about this theory, I agreed at some of its principles - that one reason why we seek information about someone, is because of INCENTIVE. Incentive is one of the three main reasons why we seek information according to Berger. DEVIATION and ANTICIPATION of FUTURE INTERACTION are the other two.

While I agree to these three main reasons why we seek information, I also have found drawbacks on Berger’s URT.  First is the way he explains the Exit Phase.
He states that during this phase, the communicators decide on future interaction plans. They may discuss or negotiate ways to allow the relationship to grow and continue. I believe that this statement from Berger is not applicable at all times. Take my example as a proof. We did not discuss nor decide on future interaction plans during the Exit Phase, it just happened. The interaction between the two of us terminated. Maybe because this matter isn’t planned, except for lovers’ break up I guess.

URT is presented as a series of axioms, but some of these aren’t really reliable and dependable because even Berger himself admits that his original statements contained some propositions of dubious validity.

         I myself, also find two of his axioms to be contradicting:

AXIOM 3, Information Seeking: High levels of uncertainty cause increases in information-seeking behavior. As uncertainty levels decline, information-seeking behavior decreases.

AXIOM 7, Liking: Increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in liking; decreases in uncertainty produce increases in liking.

I consider these two as contradicting axioms because I believe that if uncertainty increases, we tend to dislike the other person thus, halting ourselves to seek information about him/her.
And for the other way around, when uncertainty decreases, we tend to like the other person even more therefore, we dig deeper data and information about him/her.

Setting aside all the hitches on Berger’s theory, he did well in producing such kind of a study. He insists that you can’t predict outcome values until you reduce uncertainty. And I will say he is right about, “The probability of a perfect communication is zero”. J


SOURCES: Communication Theory (books.google.com.ph)