Lisette Palacio
Professor Dufresne
COM 308
19, March 2021
Interpersonal Communication and the Uncertainty Reduction Theory
In this article, I would examine the uncertainty reduction theory and then extend it to my own
experiences coming to UMKC. Many publications and research in the information and social
fields have been written on this theory. Indeed, learning human relations in interpersonal
communication may be aided by researching this principle. Each of us has been faced by
uncertainty at some point in our lives, whether in first encounters, traveling to a new place, or
starting a new job. This theory is highly relevant to me because I arrived at UMKC with a great
deal of uncertainty not knowing anyone. When just about everything is new to you, you do all
that you can to reduce the uncertainty.
Humans, by their very essence, dislike the unfamiliar, and they have an inherent need to
minimize in order to feel more relaxed and at ease. It’s especially true in first meetings, where all
parties are unsure of each other. My first day at a new school, with a large campus that I was
unfamiliar with, was nerve-wracking because I had no idea where to look for my class, who to
ask for help, or where to park. I call a friend to accompany me to my class. Finally, I made it to
the university, then to discover the seats were six feet apart which was expected. I anticipated
that making friends would be difficult with all the social distance at hand. I sat down and the
class started. We were then asked to form small groups and answer questions assigned to our
group. I could see one of the girls in our group was a bit of an introvert, so I simply started a
discussion asking about her major as well as school-related questions to help her to feel more at
ease. Through that conversation I was able to interact with other classmates using information
seeking learning more about the kind of people they are. To feel comfortable in daily
interactions communicating in ways to learn about my pears helped me reduce much of the
uncertainty I was feeling . Growing up I was extremely shy and introverted with a lot of
personality. However as I have grown up into my young adult age I was pushed to do more
independently. Encountering new classmates each semester, conversing with people in times I
traveled alone, Or starting a new job building new relationships were all challenges at the start
for me. So when approaching the girl on the first day I had the ability to understand her
behaviors because having had those same stand off tendencies in my past it made the first move
