Uncertainty reduction theory
Relationships are very important in most people's lives. How are these relationships developed, and how do they build? When meeting new people for the first time are there some uncertainties that we can work through or reduce in order to build a healthy relationship? In 1975 two communication scholars asked these same questions. Drawn from the work of Fritz Heider in 1952, Charles R. Berger and Richard Calabrese developed a perspective they called the uncertainty reduction theory. This theory suggest that when we meet others to whom we are attracted, our need to know about them tends to make us draw inferences initially from the physical data that we observe. (Seiler, Beall). In other words the theory's core assumption is that when new people are meeting each other, they want to eliminate the uncertainty between them, and the desire to know m
In the entry phase information is mainly demographic, in the personal phase information about values and believes are learned, and in the exit phase not a large amount of new information is learned at all. I have in some of my relationships I have gone through all of the three stages of development, but I also have relationships were I am kind of stuck in a certain stage of the initial interaction. I know that in my personal life I use it. ore about the person is directly related to the amount he or she is attracted to the other. Communication is important for relationships to grow and develop. The last strategy is interaction, where there is direct communication with the person. The developmental stages are entry, personal, and exit. Because our society has developed social rules or norms, during the entry stage of first meeting someone it is considered improper to ask the other person intimate personal questions. Berger suggests that in order to develop a relationship it is imperative to reduce uncertainties. (Heath, Bryant) This is information that is easily observed. According to Berger, in this stage of development the communication feels less constrained by the rules and is more free and open. I believe that many people use the uncertainty reduction theory on a daily basis. They think of ways to that allow their relationship to grow and continue. During the entry stage information about another's sex, age, economic or social status, and other demographic information is obtained. Besides the three phases, Berger also makes a decision between the three basic ways that people seek information.
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