A First Look At Communication Theory, 10e (Griffin)
Chapter 9 Uncertainty Reduction Theory
1) Berger assumes that when strangers meet, their primary concern is to:
A) predict and act upon the outcome value.
B) increase predictability about the behavior of both themselves and others in the interaction.
C) personalize the situation.
D) disclose relatively important aspects of their and the other’s personalities.
2) According to Fritz Heider, which of the following theories is defined as a systematic
explanation of how people draw inferences about the character of others based on observed
behavior?
A) interaction adaptation theory (IAT)
B) attribution theory
C) social judgment theory
D) prescriptive theory
3) As the ability of persons to predict which alternative or alternatives are likely to occur next
decreases, uncertainty:
A) increases.
B) decreases.
C) stays the same.
D) increases or decreases, depending on relevant axiomatic considerations.
4) The two kinds of uncertainties a person deals with are:
A) behavioral and cognitive questions.
B) maintenance and task questions.
C) interpersonal and public questions.
D) depth and breadth questions.
5) An axiom is a:
A) node that connects two separate uncertainty systems.
B) hypothesis that scientists attempt to test.
C) self-evident truth that requires no additional proof.
D) basic unit of uncertainty.
6) High levels of uncertainty produce:
A) low levels of reciprocity.
B) moderate levels of reciprocity.
C) high rates of reciprocity.
D) no reciprocity.
7) Charles Berger proposes a series of axioms to explain the connection between his central
concept of uncertainty and eight key variables of relationship development. According to these
axioms, which of the following is most likely to reduce uncertainty?
A) similarities between persons
B) decreases in nonverbal warmth
C) low levels of intimacy
D) lack of shared communication networks
8) In the context of Berger’s eight truths about initial uncertainty, ________.
A) shared communication networks reduce uncertainty
B) shared communication networks increase uncertainty
C) anticipation of rewards increases uncertainty
D) anticipation of rewards reduces uncertainty
9) According to Chuck Berger’s strategies for seeking information, which of the following
strategies involves asking a third party for information and relying on one’s ability to filter out
any biases and gain valuable information?
A) a passive strategy
B) an interactive strategy
C) an extractive strategy
D) an active strategy
10) Uncertainty reduction theorists have outlined four approaches people can use to reduce
uncertainty. In a(n) ________, people talk face to face with the other person and ask specific
questions, and this strategy is the quickest route to reducing uncertainty.
A) interactive strategy
B) extractive strategy
C) passive strategy
D) active strategy
11) Keith forms an impression about his new roommate based on the information gathered by
searching the Internet. In the context of Chuck Berger’s strategies for seeking information, Keith
is most likely using a(n) ________.
A) passive strategy
B) active strategy
C) interactive strategy
D) extractive strategy
12) Chuck Berger’s uncertainty reduction theory (URT) tries to forecast the future of a
relationship on the basis of projected rewards and costs.
13) High levels of uncertainty cause increases in information-seeking behavior.
14) Uncertainty reduction theory suggests that increases in uncertainty level produce increases in
liking.
15) Charles Berger’s ideas triggered extensive research by other communication scholars who
soon moved uncertainty reduction theory beyond the confines of two strangers meeting for the
first time.
16) Hedging may involve humor or ambiguous words.
17) Berger’s theory holds that the more you like people, the less you’ll seek information about
them.
18) Michael Sunnafrank at the University of Minnesota Duluth accepted Berger’s theory that
uncertainty reduction is the key to understanding early encounters.
19) High levels of uncertainty in a relationship cause increases in the intimacy level of
communication content.
20) Michael Sunnafrank believes that the primary goal of one’s initial interaction with another is
finding out who he or she is rather than maximizing one’s relational outcomes.
21) According to URT, as ________ increases, uncertainty levels will decrease in an initial
interaction situation.
22) As uncertainty is reduced, ________ is reduced.
23) A(n) ________ is defined as a proposition that logically and necessarily follows from two
axioms.
24) Using uncertainty reduction theory as your guide, formulate specific predictions about the
different reactions of incoming college students who participate in the following initial
orientation sessions: (1) a four-day, intensive experience with 10 other new students exploring a
wilderness area; (2) a two-hour discussion at the house of a professor; and (3) an evening of
conversation and entertainment with a senior or a junior. Explain each prediction in terms of
specific axioms and theorems.
25) Using Berger’s uncertainty axioms, analyze the popular maxims “birds of a feather flock
together” and “opposites attract.”
26) According to the principle that the more you know about someone, the more you will like
him or her, divorce does not seem to be a logical outcome for married people. Nonetheless, it is a
common occurrence in our culture. Using the axioms of uncertainty reduction theory, suggest
how long-term relationships can deteriorate.
27) Berger suggests that people interact less if they do not anticipate future interactions. Why is
it, then, that complete strangers often interact intensely when seated next to each other on a train,
plane, or bus? Explain your answer in terms of uncertainty reduction theory.
28) Think back on your initial encounters with your roommate, romantic partner, or friend. What
strategy or strategies were employed to reduce uncertainty? Were there elements about the
individual and the context of your meeting that motivated your quest to reduce uncertainty?
29) Indicate three predictions that you can make about intercultural encounters based upon
uncertainty reduction theory. Support your predictions by referring to basic axioms.
30) Berger’s theory holds that the more you like people, the less you’ll seek information about
them. What have other scholars stated about his assertion? What do you think of it?
31) Do you suppose that hedging is a gendered activity? What other elements of Berger’s theory
might relate to gender?
32) Compare Berger’s approach to communication in initial encounters with Altman and Taylor’s
approach. Which explanation do you find more compelling? Why?
33) How does uncertainty reduction theory compare to the work of Mead or the work of Pearce
and Cronen?
34) In this chapter, Griffin demonstrates how Berger’s uncertainty reduction theory can be
integrated with his plan-based theory of strategic communication. Would it be possible to
combine Berger’s plan-based theory of strategic communication with social penetration theory?
Why or why not?
35) Both social penetration theory and uncertainty reduction theory have held up well over the
years. Even so, they are not without their flaws. Briefly describe a “flaw” in each theory, and
discuss if the other theory might be used to address the shortcoming.