Human Communication. A Publication of the Pacific and Asian Communication Association. Vol. 12, No. 2, pp.187 - 198. Uncertainty Reduction and Information Valence: Tests of Uncertainty Reduction Theory, Predicted Outcome Value, and an Alternative Explanation?

Uncertainty reduction has a major role in communication theory of relational development. Two competing theories, Berger and Calabrese’s (1975) uncertainty reduction theory (URT) and Sunnafrank’s (1986) predicted outcome value (POV), provide different perspectives on the uncertainty reduction process during initial interactions. Research suggests that when forming a first impression, negative information weighs more heavily than positive information, which is called the “negativity effect” (Kellermann, 1984). This research examined the relationship between the level of uncertainty and the negativity effect in initial interaction.