Uncertainty Reduction
Theory
To reduce uncertainty use passive, active,
and interactive strategies
Passive Strategies
These approaches can help you predict how he or she may be-
have when interacting with you. Examples incude observing
someone with friends at a party or checking someone’s Face-
book profile.
Active Strategies
Asking questions about the individual. One might find some-
one who knows the person you’re assessing and then get him
or her to disclose information about that individual. Be aware
that the targeted person may discover that questions were be-
ing asked and that third- party information may not be accu-
rate.
Interactive Strategies
Perhaps most effective is starting a direct interaction with the
individual. Inquire where the person is from, what he or she
does for a living, and what interests he or she has. One should
also disclose personal information about him or her self. This
enables one to test the other person’s reaction. That can help
reduce uncertainty about how to commuicate further.
Content collected and designed by Corbin McLean (Xavier 2017)