Exam 8: Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Do you agree with the fundamental assertion that humans are primarily concerned with uncertainty reduction in initial interactions, or might there be other concerns that could outweigh this concern under particular circumstances? Explain.

In their comparison of low-and high-context cultures, Gudykunst and his colleagues discovered that

In an initial interaction setting, as nonverbal affiliative expressiveness increases, uncertainty levels will increase.

Discuss the three antecedent conditions that influence a person's decision to reduce his/her uncertainty about another individual.

Jake is attracted to Felicia, but he's not sure about her current relationship status. He decides to ask one of her field hockey teammates if Felicia is currently seeing anyone. Which type of tactic has Jake employed to reduce his uncertainty about Felicia?

URT predicts that high levels of uncertainty produce

What kind of research would you conduct to learn more about uncertainty reduction in a particular context? Propose a hypothesis or research question, and describe your study.

Provide an example of a time in your life when you experienced uncertainty about communicating with another person. Describe how you could have used each of the following strategies to reduce your level of uncertainty: passive, active, interactive, extractive.

While URT has enjoyed relevance to initial interaction and developed relationships, it has no applicability to other contexts, such as mass communication.

All of the following are assumptions about uncertainty reduction identified by the authors EXCEPT

High levels of uncertainty produce high rates of reciprocity.

One of the axioms of uncertainty reduction states that as nonverbal affiliative expressiveness _________, uncertainty levels will _________.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory is considered by many to be a "good" theory because of its ability to generate new research. This refers to the criterion known as

A _______ is derived from axioms and it posits a relationship between two concepts.