Chapter 9: Uncertainty Reduction Theory

If one wants to learn information about another person and decides to observe that person from the other side of the room, he or she is using the:

• Passive strategy.

• Active strategy.

• Interactive strategy.

• Extractive strategy.

Berger believes that predictability is the opposite of uncertainty.

• True

• False

Shared communication networks:

• Increase uncertainty.

• Reduce uncertainty.

• Have little impact on uncertainty

• Are not addressed by uncertainty reduction theory.

Unlike uncertainty reduction theory, predicted outcome value theory disagrees with the claim that we’re most motivated to reduce uncertainty. The theory claims another desire is stronger. This is the desire to:

• Achieve goals.

• Build relational closeness.

• Maximize relational outcomes.

• Reduce anxiety.

Our drive to reduce uncertainty about a new acquaintance is increased if they conform to societal expectations.

• True

• False

Berger believes that we are intuitive psychologists, constantly drawing inferences about why people do what they do. From which theory does he draw this assumption?

• Social identity theory.

• Social exchange theory.

• Predicted outcome value theory

• Attribution theory.

Your friend seems upset about something, but you’re not sure why, so you ask him what’s bothering him. You’re using the:

• Passive strategy.

• Active strategy.

• Interactive strategy.

• Extractive strategy.

Uncertainty reduction theory fails the objective standard of offering testable hypotheses.

• True

• False

You’ve made a plan to persuade your parents to let you travel to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving break rather than coming home. But as you talk with your parents, you perceive that your plan isn’t working. According to Berger’s hierarchy hypothesis, you will:

• Alter lower-level elements of your plan.

• Alter higher-level elements of your plan.

• Continue with your original plan.

• Abandon any plan to achieve your original goal.

If a plan is complex, it involves:

• A lot of detail about what you’re going to do.

• Backup plans if your original plans don’t work out.

• Both A and B.

• None of the above.