A Model of Uncertainty Reduction in Intercultural Encounters

Abstract

Uncertainty reduction theory is one of the major theories used to explain interpersonal communication between people of the same culture. The model proffered in this paper extends the theory to account for uncertainty reduction during intercultural encounters. An initial test of the model indicated that it provides a good fit to data provided by students in the United States on their relationships (i.e. acquaintance or friendships) with international students. It is argued, however, that since the model is a straight-forward extension of an interpersonal theory, it may only apply to intercultural encounters where inter-group salience is low and not adequately explain communication in encounters that have high intergroup salience. An elaborated model that integrates uncertainty reduction and ethnolinguistic identity theories, therefore, is suggested.