Social Penetration Theory and Uncertainty Reduction Theory

MARCH
2019
GROUP 1
SOCIAL
PENETRATION
THEORY
Proponents Irwin Altman & Dalmas Taylor
• was developed to explain how information exchange functions in the

development of interpersonal relationships
• describes the process of bonding that moves a relationship from superficial to
more intimate
• specifically accomplished through self-disclosure
• can occur in different contexts (e.g. romantic relationships, friendships, social
groups, and work relationships.
3
Proponents Amanda Carpenter & Kathryn Greene
• describes several layers including superficial layers, middle layers, inner

layers, and core personality
4
- process of revealing information
about oneself
- increases intimacy in relationships to
a certain point
- the norm of reciprocity
- metaphor for describing how social

penetration theory operates, elaborating on
social penetration as a process throguh which
people "peel back" others' layers of personal
information through interpersonal interaction to 5
reach the core.
1. Orientation
• superficial information
• people are cautious and
careful when disclosing
information
• likes and dislikes
6
SCENARIO #1
2. Exploratory Affective
Exchange
• details that are beyond

the most superficial
information and use
less caution when self-
disclosing
8
SCENARIO
SCENARIO #2
#2
3. Affective Exchange
• some information about

private self are being shared
• disclosure is casual and
spontaneous
• reflects further commitment
and a level of comfort
10
3. Affective Exchange
• inside jokes, sarcastic

remarks
• initiation of conflict
• close friends and romantic
partners
• details that are beyond the
most superficial information
and use less caution when 11
self-disclosing
SCENARIO #3
4. Stable Exchange
• characterized by openness,
breadth, and depth across
conversation topics
• honesty and intimacy, a high
degree of spontaneity, and
open expression of
thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors 13
SCENARIO #4
• is also possible when self-disclosure
is reduced as a result of
interpersonal conflict and relational
stessors
• the deliberate closing off of some
portions of a person's life to his or
her partner.
• this process can signal relationship
disintegration or relationship
renegotiation
• could be gradual or more abrupt
(such as following a relational
transgression prompting a breakup) ;
drifting away
STRENGTH
The social penetration theory follows
a pattern of the "greater the ratio of
rewards to costs, the more rapid the
penetration process".
WEAKNESS
Limited Scope
UNCERTAINTY
REDUCTION
THEORY
Proponent: Charles Berger
• focuses on how human communication is used to gain knowledge and create

understanding
• any of three prior conditions--anticipation of future interaction, incentive
value, or deviance--can boost our drive to reduce uncertainty
• to predict and explain
21
• his emphasis on explanation (our interferences about why people do what
they do) comes ffrom Fritz Heider
• "Beginnings of personal relationships are fraught with uncertainties."
22
1. Behavioral questions
- often reduced by
folloing accepted procedural
protocols.
2. Cognitive questions
- reduced by acquiring
information.
23
AN AXIOMATIC THEORY
Certainty about uncertainty
A. Berger proposes a series of axioms to explain the connection between

uncertainty and eight key variables.
B. Axiom 1, verbal communication: as the amount of verbal communication

between strangers increases, the level of uncertainty decreases, and, as a
result, verbal communication increases.
C. Axiom 2, nonverbal warmth: as nonverbal affiliative expressiveness

increases, uncertainty levels will decrease. Decreases in uncertainty level will
cause increases in nonverbal affiliative expressiveness.
AN AXIOMATIC THEORY
D. Axiom 3, information seeking: high levels of uncertainty cause

increases in information-seeking behavior. As uncertainty levels decline,
information-seeking behavior decreases.
E. Axiom 4, self-disclosure: 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.
F. Axiom 5, reciprocity: high levels of uncertainty produce high rates of

reciprocity. Low levels of uncertainty produce low levels of reciprocity.
AN AXIOMATIC THEORY
G. Axiom 6, similarity: similarities between persons reduce uncertainty,

while dissimilarities produce increases in uncertainty.
H. Axiom 7, liking: increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in

liking; decreases in uncertainty produce increases in liking.
I. Axiom 8, shared networks: shared communication networks reduce

uncertainty, while a lack of shared networks increases uncertainty.
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MARCH

• was developed to explain how information exchange functions in the

• describes several layers including superficial layers, middle layers, inner

- metaphor for describing how social

• details that are beyond

• some information about

• inside jokes, sarcastic

• focuses on how human communication is used to gain knowledge and create

A. Berger proposes a series of axioms to explain the connection between

B. Axiom 1, verbal communication: as the amount of verbal communication

C. Axiom 2, nonverbal warmth: as nonverbal affiliative expressiveness

D. Axiom 3, information seeking: high levels of uncertainty cause

E. Axiom 4, self-disclosure: high levels of uncertainty in a relationship

F. Axiom 5, reciprocity: high levels of uncertainty produce high rates of

G. Axiom 6, similarity: similarities between persons reduce uncertainty,

H. Axiom 7, liking: increases in uncertainty level produce decreases in

I. Axiom 8, shared networks: shared communication networks reduce

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