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Chapter  9—Uncertainty Reduction Theory

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Title:
Mean Girls
Claim:
The drive to reduce uncertainty on initial interaction with others is strengthened when we know we’ll see them again, they have something we want, and or they act in a way we consider weird.
Application:
Fifteen-year-old Cady was home-schooled by her parents in Africa. The family has moved to a Chicago suburb. Her first day in a high school, two friendly kids, Damian and Janis, take her into the lunch room and point out the characteristics of the different cliques located at each table.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMTPp-QGWfo
Cue Point:
0:01:25-0:05:25
Discovered  By:
Em

Title:
Friends, S1, E7, "The One with the Blackout"
Claim:
When strangers meet, their primary concern is to reduce uncertainty and increase predictability about their behavior.
Application:
Chandler is suddenly trapped in a bank vestibule with a famous Victoria’s Secret model during a New York blackout. He wants to get close to her, but painfully doesn’t do any of the things that Berger claims would reduce her uncertainty of who he is or move the relationship forward. Even though she makes attempts at interaction, he offers little verbal communication, nonverbal warmth, information seeking, self-disclosure, and doesn’t reciprocate her tentative overtures. Therefore liking, similarity, and shared networks aren’t explored. The scenes show how NOT to develop a closer relationship with a stranger.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBV73mxNUJs
Discovered  By:
Em

Title:
Hitch
Claim:
Uncertainty reduction may occur using passive, active, or interactive strategies.
Application:
In this scene, watch for how Hitch uses the passive, active, and interactive strategies to learn about Sara.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVss0IfxSwc
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
Big Bang Theory, S3, E22, "The Staircase Implementation"
Claim:
People especially are motivated to reduce uncertainty when they anticipate future interaction, when the person has incentive value, and when they act in ways that are unusual.
Application:
This flashback portrays what happened when Leonard met his roommate Sheldon for the first time. Sheldon's requests for information are consistent with uncertainty reduction theory's claim that people seek to reduce cognitive uncertainty--although the questions Sheldon asks are strange, different than most other people. In retrospect, perhaps that deviance should have encouraged Leonard to ask more questions of Sheldon during that first meeting.
Link:
https://youtu.be/OgA1tArKnbE?t=49
Cue Point:
In YouTube clip, starting at 0:49
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
"QUESTIONS TO ASK POTENTIAL ROOMMATES!", University Housing UGA
Claim:
People especially are motivated to reduce uncertainty when they anticipate future interaction and when the person has incentive value.
Application:
We anticipate future interaction with roommates and they hold incentive value, thus Berger predicts we would seek to reduce uncertainty. The four questions highlighted in the video, produced for the University of Georgia's housing department, are consistent with Berger's claim.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nITNxaXr7Gs
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
Gilmore Girls, S6, E16, "Bridesmaids Revisited"
Claim:
Relational turbulence is negative emotions about a relationship, and it arises from uncertainty about the future of the relationship and partner interference.
Application:
Rory confronts her boyfriend Logan when she learns that he slept with other women. The ensuing fight demonstrates that their relationship has become turbulent, and as Knobloch and her colleagues predict, that turbulence emerges because of uncertainty about their commitment to each other and Logan's believ that Rory's request for relational exculsivity interferes with his life.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LKzAEUljJQ
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
"No Body No Crime", Taylor Swift, Evermore
Claim:
Uncertainty reduction is motivated by anticipation of future interaction, incentive value, and deviance.
Application:
This is a crime-and-revenge country song where the jilted wife and her friend engage in uncertainty reduction. Can you explain how anticipation of future interaction, incentive value, and/or deviance motivate their efforts?
Link:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3RaT22zZsxVYxxKR7TAaYF?si=55bf3bd1c4df4ee5
Discovered  By:
Andrew

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