The three conditions of Berger’s uncertainty reduction theory can be found on page 125 of Chapter 10. I love how the conditions can be applied to any new acquaintance. It makes me think about what interests me when I meet a new person. It can be applied when taking a new class with a professor you’ve never had before.
Anticipation of the future interaction: You will definitely see the professor at least once or twice a week for the duration of the semester.
Incentive value: Your grade depends on yourself of course but in the end, it is the professor who gives you your grade!
Deviance: Every professor has some quirky trait or personal history that intrigues us.
And so these three conditions drive us to figure the person out. When I think the first time I met my fiancé, I reflect back on how I got “hooked”. He made me curious and I wanted to figure our more about him. Our natural curiosity drives us to want to know more, especially when we hardly know someone.
integrating theory--dialogue
15 years ago
1 comment:
It's funny you applied the uncertainty reduction theory to teachers and professors. I always wonder what the teachers going to be like and even after the class starts I always look for clues that tell about their personal life. We have a need to figure out people. Thank goodness we as humans have the ability to talk, otherwise communication would be a much more difficult process.
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