Predicted Outcome Value During Initial Interactions A Reformulation of Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Sunnafrank, Michael

doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.1986.tb00092.x

Cited by 210 publications

(211 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Berger and Calabrese's axioms and theorems have been tested empirically (Sunnafrank, 1990), fostered a foundation for theory construction (Bradac, Bowers, & Courtright, 1980;Sunnafrank, 1986;Gudykunst, 1995;and Neuliep & Grohskopf, 2000), and supported an "accumulation of a substantial body of research" (Neuliep & Grohskopf, 2000, p. 67) as a "result of its longevity" (Bradac, 2001, p. 457). Goldsmith (2001) maintained "clearly, one of the greatest contributions of uncertainty reduction theory has been its heuristic value in directing our attention to the role of uncertainty in various communication situations and to practical concerns with how individuals manage uncertainty in problematic situations" (p. 514).…”

Section: Why Uncertainty Reduction Theory?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Agroterrorism and the Implications of Uncertainty Reduction Theory for Agricultural Communicators

Ashlock¹,

Leising²,

Cartmell³

2009

Journal of Applied Communications

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Section: Why Uncertainty Reduction Theory?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Agroterrorism and the Implications of Uncertainty Reduction Theory for Agricultural Communicators

Ashlock¹,

Leising²,

Cartmell³

2009

Journal of Applied Communications

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“…In line with the basic tenets of Berger and Calabrese's (1975) uncertainty reduction theory (URT) and Sunnafrank's (1986) predicted outcome value theory (POV), both interviewers and applicants have goals of reducing uncertainty and increasing pre-dictability. Although interviews generate cognitive uncertainty (apprehension regarding beliefs and attitudes of oneself and relational others), they generally are highly routinized and not likely to create considerable behavioral uncertainty (concerns or doubts regarding the predictability of behavior in certain situations; Berger 1979;Berger and Bradec 1982).…”

Section: Uncertainty Reduction and Predictability Enhancement Goalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

17. Functional forms of competence: Interviewing

Huffcutt¹,

Culbertson²,

Riforgiate³

2015

Communication Competence

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Employment interviews are ubiquitous in the workplace, providing a necessary step in the hiring process and influencing organizational composition and applicant employment. Research pertaining to professional interviewing is frequently conducted outside of the communication discipline, yet the nature of the interview interaction is highly communicative. The purpose of this chapter is to develop a solid foundation for understanding communication in employment interviews by utilizing the concept of communication competence as a theoretical basis. Specifically, we address aspects of communication effectiveness and appropriateness in employment interviews, including how they vary according to the degree of their standardization. For instance, both parties (interviewer and interviewee) have the goal of reducing uncertainty, although the nature of those goals differ (e.g., organizational perspectives regarding potential interviewee performance verses interviewee perceptions of job fit and the likelihood of being offered the job). Directions for future research are presented, including a pressing need for research examining how the two parties adjust communication during the interaction based on perceptions of the other's communication behaviors.

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“…Michael Sunnafrank (1986) Sunnafrank revised the original seven uncertainty reduction theory axioms by adding predictive outcome value as a variable that impacts the relationships among the original URT variables. For example, POV predicts that we are more attracted to people, the more we predict positive outcomes.…”

Section: Predicted Outcome Value Theory (Pov)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Redmond¹

2016

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Corporate Reputation

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Originally: Interaction with strangers; Subsequently: interpersonal relationships Questions It Addresses in Our Every Day Lives:1. Why do we feel anxious when we're interacting with strangers or in new situations?2. How can we manage the uncertainties we experience when our friends act in unexpected ways?3. What kinds of things cause us to feel uncertainty when dealing with other people? Theory at a Glance• Various conditions lead us to experience uncertainty when interacting with other people.• We seek to reduce uncertainty to enhance our abilities to predict and explain the people with whom we interact.• By collecting information about our self, our relationships, and other people, we reduce uncertainty (increase predictability) Visualization of Uncertainty Reduction TheoryThe acquisition, processing, retention, and retrieval of information is vital to the growth, maintenance, and decline of personal and social relationships. Relationships can be viewed as systems of information exchange that must reduce uncertainty in order to survive (p.255). Charles R. Berger (1988). UncertaintyInformation Seeking Uncertainty Reduction 2Have you ever taken a class where the instructor provided little information about the course or basis for grades? Were you ever invited by a friend to a social gathering where you didn't know anyone aside from the friend who invited you? How did you feel in those situations? The lack of clear criteria for a course grade creates uncertainty-you don't know what is expected of you.Not knowing anyone else at the social event means you don't know what to expect from the other people or how they'll react to you. In both situations, you are unable to predict what will happen, and this limits your ability to plan and adapt. Your uneasiness might prompt you to ask your instructor or friend for more information and as you learn more, your uncertainty and anxiety decrease. These two situations reflect the underlying focus of uncertainty reduction theory.Uncertainty reduction theory (URT) was originally created to explain the communication process that occurs when two strangers interact. Charles Berger and Richard Calabrese (1975) observed that when we interact with strangers, we experience uncertainty because we don't really know what to expect. Berger and Calabrese claim that as the interaction proceeds we gain information that quickly reduces our uncertainties. However, there have probably been times where you didn't really worry about finding out anything about the stranger because you never expected to see the person again or it wasn't someone with whom you wanted to pursue a relationship. URT provides explanations for these and other behaviors when people interact with someone new. However, the general principles underlying URT apply to most, if not all, human communication (Berger, 1986).Over the years, uncertainty reduction theory has evolved to include interactions within established interpersonal relationships that may also experience stressful periods of uncertainty. Uncertainty is also a...

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Predicted Outcome Value During Initial Interactions A Reformulation of Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Cited by 210 publications

References 38 publications

Agroterrorism and the Implications of Uncertainty Reduction Theory for Agricultural Communicators

Agroterrorism and the Implications of Uncertainty Reduction Theory for Agricultural Communicators

17. Functional forms of competence: Interviewing

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

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