Unertainty Reduction Theory

of Charles Berger


Meeting new people can be both exciting and nerve racking due to the lack of what to expect. Charles Berger’s uncertainty reduction theory deals with this concept and how different aspects of communication can increase or decrease our uncertainty level about others. Berger uses seven axioms in order to reinforce his theory.


Axiom 1- As verbal communication increases, the level of uncertainty decreases.

Axiom 2- As nonverbal expressiveness increases, the level of uncertainty decreases.

Axiom 3- Uncertainty causes increased levels of information seeking.

Axiom 4- High levels of uncertainty result in low levels of self disclosure.

Axiom 5- Uncertainty causes increased levels of reciprocity.

Axiom 6- Similarities decrease uncertainty whereas dissimilarities increase uncertainty.

Axiom 7- High levels of uncertainty cause a decrease in liking whereas low levels of uncertainty increase liking.


Berger also discusses how motivation to find out about others can come from anticipation of future interaction, incentive value, and deviance.Lastly, Berger reveals the different strategies, passive, active, and interactive, that are used to remove doubt about others.


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Click here to see examples and applications done by Tony

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