Berger (1987) recognized that URT contains some propositions of dubious validity
(p. 40). Like many other successful theoretical approaches, Berger and Calabrese’s (1975)
theory of uncertainty reduction has inspired subsequent research that served both as supporting evidence and in an oppositional role to the theory. These criticisms help to clarify the
underlying principles of the theory and suggest ways for improvement for future research.
Michael Sunnafrank (1986) argued that a motivation to reduce uncertainty is not a primary concern in initial interactions. His belief was that a maximization of relational
outcomes
(p. 9) was of more significant concern in initial encounters. Sunnafrank argued that the predicted outcome value (POV) of the interaction had a greater effect on uncertainty.
Berger (1986) combated Sunnafrank’s arguments by acknowledging that outcomes cannot be predicted if there is no previous history of interaction regarding the behavior of the individuals. Berger
claims that Sunnafrank’s arguments simply expanded URT: that by predicting outcomes (using POV) individuals are actually reducing their uncertainty (Berger, 1986).
Kathy Kellermann and Rodney Reynolds (1990) also tested the validity of URT. Their primary concern was axiom three, which related high uncertainty to high information seeking (see Appendix A: Axioms and Theorems of Uncertainty Reduction Theory). Their study of over a thousand students found that a want for knowledge was a greater indicator than a lack of knowledge for promotion of information-seeking (Kellermann & Reynolds, 1990). These researchers emphasized that high uncertainty does not create enough motivation to result in information-seeking; rather a want for information must also exist.
Canary and Dainton (2003) explored uncertainty reduction in terms of relational maintenance across cultural contexts and found that the applicability of URT may not hold to multiple cultures.
Canary and Dainton (2003) focused on the concept of uncertainty avoidance in c ultures stating: individuals from cultures with a high tolerance for uncertainty are unlikely to find
the experience of uncertainty as a primary motivator for performing relational maintenance
(p. 314). This leads to a general questioning of validity of URT other cultures.
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