3 - Uncertainty Reduction Theory and Staircase Model Flashcards
Define: Uncertainty reduction theory (URT)
Uncertainty - the inability to predict or explain someone’s attitudes and or/behaviours
Types of uncertainty
- Behavioural (actions and mannerisms of self vs other)
- Cognitive (beliefs and attitudes of self vs other)
Factors of communication reducing uncertainties between people engaging in interactions
- Sometimes knowing more can increase uncertainty in established relationships
Define: Uncertainty reduction theory (URT)
Assumptions x 4 (of 6)
- Uncertainty experienced in interpersonal settings
- Uncertainty is aversive (repels us) state causing cognitive stress
- Interpersonal communication develops over stages
- Interpersonal communication is the primary means of reducing uncertainty
Define: Uncertainty reduction theory (URT)
Axioms (truths) x 5 (of 7)
- As verbal communication increases, uncertainty decreases and vice versa
- As non-verbal increases, uncertainty decreases and vice versa
- High uncertainty = increase in information seeking behaviour (swaps as uncertainty decreases)
- High uncertainty = decrease in intimacy and vice versa
- High uncertainty = high reciprocity and vice versa
Define: Uncertainty reduction theory (URT)
Passive strategies
- Observation (discrete) in certain situations where others are self monitoring or naturally acting
- To see how they act
- Rely on unobtrusive investigation to find out info
- Eg. In a coffee shop, at the supermarket
Define: Uncertainty reduction theory (URT)
Active strategies
- Manipulating social environment to see how they react
- Asking a third party about a person, directly talking to a person to see what they say back
- Setting up an observation directly
- Eg. Asking your friend whether a guy has a girlfriend
Define: Uncertainty reduction theory (URT)
Interactive strategies
- Interacting directly with the target person
- Asking questions and encouraging disclosure; relaxing the person to get information
- Engaging in direct dialogue with the person
Define: Staircase model
Name and year
- Knapp and Vangelisti 2008
- Series of steps that relationships follow; often not linear
- 5 stages of coming together, 5 stages of coming apart
Define: Staircase model
Coming together stage 1
Initiating
- Focus on initial encounters, greeting rituals and opening lines
- Disclosure low breadth, depth, freq. and duration
- People decide how rewarding the relationship may be
Define: Staircase model
Coming together stage 2
Experimenting
- Small talk (breadth over depth)
- Establish similarities and differences
- Most relationships don’t go beyond this stage (casual friends/acquaintances)
Define: Staircase model
Coming together stage 3
Intensifying
- Increased contact, trust and connection
- More in-depth disclosure
- Discussing feelings and state of relationship
- More social support
- Future tense and we instead of I
Define: Staircase model
Coming together stage 4
Integrating
- Coupling occurs (relational identity established)
- Social networks, attitudes and preferences merge
- Freedom to disclose negative information
- High disclosure, depth and breadth
Define: Staircase model
Coming together stage 5
Bonding
- Public commitment rituals eg. marriage
- Relationship often becomes “institutionalised”
- Barriers to break up are erected; social groups and shared possessions eg. kids or house
Define: Staircase model
Coming apart stage 1
Differentiating
- Goal of maintaining or re-asserting individualism
- Start acting as individuals not couple at expense of similarities
- Many couples go through this stage but don’t break up
Define: Staircase model
Coming apart stage 2
Circumscribing
- Depth and breadth lost; nothing to talk about
- Closeness erodes
- Frustration, misunderstood and distant
- Some circumscribing can be healthy, attempts to reconnect may be successful
Define: Staircase model
Coming apart stage 3
Stagnating
- Communication becomes tense and awkward (futile and pointless)
- People become negative towards relationship
- Some couples in this stage revive the relationship but it is VERY hard
