Uncertainty Reduction Theory: The application

First of all, C.R. Berger and J.J. Bradac founded the Uncertainty Reduction Theory in 1975 (Kramer, 1999, pg. 305). They defined the theory as “the human drive to reduce

In conclusion, it is easily noticeable on where Will feels more comfortable. In order for Will to like school more and be more “interactive” he will have to find more of a sense of belonging. Once he finds his belonging he will find his comfort and his uncertainty will be lowered substantially. Then he will sit on the more positive side of the axioms instead of on the negative side. In order for him to enjoy his college experience he will have to be comfortable on his campus. The more comfort a person has the more he or she will enjoy herself and the more open he or she will be to the experience itself.

The next part that that needs to be addressed is the three ways a person can treat the uncertainty problem. First there are “passive strategies,” which is reducing uncertainty through unobtrusive observations (Smith, 2001, pg. 304). Then there is “active strategies,” that is using the observation of responses to manipulations of the interaction environment, but there are no direct interactions (Smith, 2001, pg. 304). And finally we have “interactive strategies,” that involve direct personal contact between the person desiring information and the person giving information (Smith, 2001, pg. 305).

Finally we will look at the artifact described above and dissect it according to this theory and give it an explanation. Since Will is almost a “split personality” with his uncertainty based on his surrounding we will have to split them into two categories. Will-1 will be Will at school when he is away from his friends, and Will-2 will be him around his friends. Will uses two of the three uncertainty reducers according to his “personality” at the time being. Will-1 is an active strategist. He sits back and takes in others actions to develop his perceptions and understandings of his environment without actually taking a place of action in that environment. However, Will-2 is more of an interactive strategist. He then makes himself a part of the action by going face to face with others and learning about them in that manner. He loses his insecurities around his friends and just goes “on a limb”.

uncertainty, to explain the world, and to render it predictable” (Bradac, 2001, pg. 456). According to Berger and Bradac, it is based of a foundation of seven axioms that include: 1) During entry phase a high level of uncertainty is present, as communication increases the level of uncertainty decreases; 2) As nonverbal communication increases, the level of unc

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