Abstract
Uncertainty reduction theory is one of the major theories used to explain interpersonal communication between people of the same culture. The model proffered in this paper extends the theory to account for uncertainty reduction during intercultural encounters. An initial test of the model indicated that it provides a good fit to data provided by students in the United States on their relationships (i.e. acquaintance or friendships) with international students. It is argued, however, that since the model is a straight-forward extension of an interpersonal theory, it may only apply to intercultural encounters where inter-group salience is low and not adequately explain communication in encounters that have high intergroup salience. An elaborated model that integrates uncertainty reduction and ethnolinguistic identity theories, therefore, is suggested.
Keywords
Uncertainty reduction theorySalience (neuroscience)Interpersonal communicationIntercultural communicationSocial psychologyPsychologyCognitive psychologyCommunication
Affiliated Institutions
Related Publications
Computer-Mediated Communication Effects on Disclosure, Impressions, and Interpersonal Evaluations: Getting to Know One Another a Bit at a Time
This investigation examined how computer-mediated communication (CMC) partners exchange personal information in initial interactions, focusing on the effects of communication ch...
The Focused Organization of Social Ties
Sociologists since Simmel have been interseted in social circles as essential features of friendship networks. Although network analysis has been increasingly used to uncover pa...
Feedback and Self-Regulated Learning: A Theoretical Synthesis
Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a pivot upon which students’ achievement turns. We explain how feedback is inherent in and a prime determiner of processes that constitute SRL, ...
Bad is Stronger than Good
The greater power of bad events over good ones is found in everyday events, major life events (e.g., trauma), close relationship outcomes, social network patterns, interpersonal...
Knowledge work as collaborative work: a situated activity theory view
Proposes a situated activity theory view of collaborative knowledge work. Activity theory is argued to be particularly relevant in the context of knowledge work since the body o...
Publication Info
- Year
- 1985
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 79-98
- Citations
- 147
- Access
- Closed
External Links
Social Impact
Altmetric
PlumX Metrics
Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions
Citation Metrics
147
OpenAlex
Cite This
William B. Gudykunst
(1985).
A Model of Uncertainty Reduction in Intercultural Encounters.
Journal of Language and Social Psychology
, 4
(2)
, 79-98.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0261927x8500400201
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1177/0261927x8500400201