Uncertainty Reduction Theory

For this assignment, I decided to do the Uncertainty Reduction Theory which according to (http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Interpersonal%20Communication%20and%20Relations/Uncertainty_Reduction_Theory.doc/) defines it as "Uncertainty reduction theory (URT) was initially presented as a series of axioms (universal truths which do not require proof and theorems (propositions assumed to be true) which describe the relationships between uncertainty and several communication factors. URT was developed to describe the interrelationships between seven important factors in any dyadic exchange: verbal communication, nonverbal expressiveness, information-seeking behavior, intimacy, reciprocity, similarity, and liking. This theoretical perspective was originated by C.R. Berger and Calabrese in 1975; they drew on the work of Heider (1952).". We’re asked to retell the plot of a movie in which we see the application or relevance of the axioms inscribed in the theory.

Task #1: The movie

I chose the movie “Beastly” (2011) which starred Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Petyffer. The story was based on the Disney animated movie “Beauty and the Beast”. Going back… Beastly starts off with Kyle Kingson campaigning for his spot in the Green committee – a committee which cares about the environment but then as he goes on with his speech, the audience sees that he’s too conceited with himself and just talks about his looks, riches, and capabilities. They don’t mind though because as he said it “beautiful people get it better.” Kendra (played by Mary Kate Olsen) comes along and just vandalizes his posters and campaign materials which pisses off Kyle. Kyle thinks Lindy (played by Vanessa Hudgens) asked Kendra to do it but she defends herself otherwise. It was the first time Kyle talked to Lindy in 3 years after the vandalism occurrence.

Eventually, Kyle won as president in the elections and Lindy won as Treasurer. Kendra on the other hand did not like the outcome of the votes (pertaining to Kyle). He comes up to her and offers tickets to the Green committee dance. Blah blah blah then the date of the dance comes up and Kyle talked to Lindy for the 2^nd time – congratulating her and talks about some field trip. After a few minutes, Kendra shows up but then Kyle humiliates her. She whispers a spell to him then Kyle began getting dizzy and was hallucinating all over the place. Eventually, the new Green committee president had to leave his party and went straight to a balcony somewhere. Kendra shows up and reveals to him the hard core truth. She turned him into something ugly which was equivalent to how ugly he was inside. He had scars, cuts, and weird tattoos all over him. The deal was he had a year to find someone who’d love him and could see right through him though his face was as ugly as hell.

Kyle starts falling for Lindy and he possibly thought that she could break the spell bestowed upon him. He starts stalking her and following her everywhere. This incident happens where someone gets killed. Kyle witnessed what happened and Lindy’s dad (who too, was in the scene) asked him what he wanted for him to shut his mouth up about what happened. Kyle asks for Lindy. He asked for her so he could take care of her and just because he knew that she could cut the spell. Lindy was brought to Kyle’s apartment. At first, Lindy didn’t like the idea and just hated her life in there. She termed “Lindy is in hell” at her social networking site. So Kyle thought that for Lindy to like her, he’d give her gifts – extravagant, expensive ones. He started giving her Bvlgari jewellery, an over the top bag, etc. He was trying to buy her but then Zola (Kyle’s “helper” in the apartment) gives him tips and when he did the tips, he wins her over. As they spent time together, they get to know each other more and more each day and just became intimate and really close. To make the long story short, he wins her over and Lindy finally loves him and says it just in time before the spell “expires”.

Task # 2: Axioms

Taken from: (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Communication_Theory/Uncertainty_Reduction#Axioms_of_Uncertainty_Reduction_Theory)

Axioms of Uncertainty Reduction Theory

1. Given the high level of uncertainty present at the onset of the entry phase, as the amount of verbal communication between strangers increases, the level of uncertainty for each interactant in the relationship will decrease. As uncertainty is further reduced, the amount of verbal communication will increase.
2. As nonverbal affiliative expressiveness increases, uncertainty levels will decrease in an initial interaction situation. In addition, decreases in uncertainty level will cause increases in nonverbal affiliative expressiveness.
3. High levels of uncertainty cause increases in information seeking behavior. As uncertainty levels decline, information seeking behavior decreases.
4. High levels of uncertainty in a relationship cause decreases in the intimacy level of communication content. Low levels of uncertainty produce high levels of intimacy.
5. High levels of uncertainty produce high rates of reciprocity. Low levels of uncertainty produce low reciprocity rates.
6. Similarities between persons reduce uncertainty, while dissimilarities produce increases in uncertainty.
7. Increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in liking; decreases in uncertainty level produce increases in liking.

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Explanation:

Kyle and Lindy were complete strangers before, and as the elections came up, they had to talk about things. For their uncertainty to decrease, Kyle started congratulating Lindy on winning for treasurer. Therefore, the uncertainty decreased.

 Because they were complete strangers, Kyle wanted to get to know Lindy more. Even when e became a beast, he went the extra mile to know more about her. As they got to know each other better, they became more intimate with each other until their feelings for each other developed. (Application: Axioms 1, 2, 3, & 4)

(Movie cannot be applied to Axioms 5-7)