Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Charles Berger
Interpersonal Communication—Relationship Development
Social Information Processing
Theory Overview (7th Edition)
Abstracts appear in Appendix A of the text
When people meet, their primary concern is to reduce uncertainty about each other and their relationship. As verbal output, nonverbal warmth, self-disclosure, similarity, and shared communication networks increase uncertainty decreases—and vice versa. Information seeking and reciprocity are positively correlated with uncertainty. (Socio-psychological tradition)