1. Charles Berger

3. UNCERTAINTY REDUCTION THEORY
- increased knowledge of what a
person is.
2 Types of Uncertainty
- Behavioral
- Cognitive
AXIOM
a self evident truth that needs no
additional proof
The goal of
this theory is
to reduce
uncertainty

4. 8 Truths about Initial Uncertainty
(8 Axioms)
1. Verbal Communication
2. Non Verbal Warmth
3. Information Seeking
4. Self- Disclosure
5. Reciprocity
6. Similarity
7. Liking
8. Shared Networks

5. MESSAGE PLANS
- Mental representations of
action sequences that can
be used to achieve goals.
•Most social interactions
are goal-driven

6. COPING WITH UNCERTAINTY
METHODS
1. Passive Strategy
2. Active
3. Interactive
4. Hedging
5. Plan Complexity
6. Hierarchy Hypothesis

7. Anxiety/ Uncertainty
Management Theory (AUM)
William Gudykunst
States higher levels of anxiety can lead
to greater misunderstandings if we don’t
communicate mindfully
* Strangers undergo both
anxiety and uncertainty