Anxiety/Uncertainty
Management Theory

of William Gudykunst

William Gudykunst is a professor of communication at California State University, Fullerton. He began his research in intercultural communication when he was in the U.S Navy serving as an intercultural relation's specialist in Japan. Gudykunst derived the Theory of Anxiety/ Uncertainty Management from his intercultural experiences. His anxiety/uncertainty theory is also referred to as AUM. The theory deals with conversations between strangers, some being intercultural. Gudykunst developed 47 axioms that deal with different factors and levels of anxiety and uncertainty. There are three different factors involved with the anxiety/uncertainty management theory. They are motivation, knowledge, and skill factors. These factors and more will be explained in more detail in:

Chasity's research report

Danielle's application

Jeff's Critique