Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Define: Uncertainty about others makes people uncomfortable, so they are motivated to seek information about others so they feel more sure around them, and thus, more comfortable.

Riddle, B., Martin, M., & Anderson, C. (1999). Socialization processes in groups. In Poole, M., Lawrence, F., & Gouran, D. (Eds.), The handbook of group communication theory and research (6) (pp. 144).  Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=IRAxk7sn258C&pg=PA144&lpg=PA144&dq=uncertainty+reduction+theory+in+organizations&source=bl&ots=vgK16_-9C6&sig=P8jPve_M-GGDsDyRvS6cXvvoLhg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDcQ6AEwA2oVChMI0-G4uqO0yAIVS3E-Ch2fjw96#v=onepage&q=uncertainty%20reduction%20theory%20in%20organizations&f=false

Uncertainty reduction theory. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Public%20Relations%2C%20Advertising%2C%20Marketing%20and%20Consumer%20Behavior/Uncertainty_Reduction_Theory/.

Apply: We talked about how it is important to form relationships with people when you are organizing communities. Organizing is not just a “macro” concept, because you need interpersonal skills to build trust and rapport. When working with members on a community project you are involved in, they may not know how to behave in the group, and won’t necessarily know what’s expected of them, which all leaves them with an overall feeling of uncertainty- especially on the first time meeting. This theory would say that people will seek to learn about each other in that group to reduce this uncertainty, so knowing this, you, as the facilitator, may want to incorporate some sort of activity that helps the group come together and get to know each other.   

Adapt: In the field of communication studies, this theory could help explain communication between and among people. The theory says people will feel uncertain of each other and that will cause them to feel awkwardness, which they will try to correct by getting to know each other. Those who study the ways we communicate- verbally and nonverbally- could use this to explain why we say or do the things we say or do when interacting with new people or studying how we communicate to make friends.