Download Relationships

Relationships: Uncertainty
Reduction, Social Penetration &
Social Exchange
Dr. Holly Kruse
Communication Theory
Relationships
• What is a relationship?
• It’s an ongoing connection with
another person that is developed
and maintained through
interpersonal communication.
• What are examples of
relationships?
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
• Looks at how we get we get
information about strangers.
• We want information because we
want to know how we should act,
what’s unique about someone,
predict how that person will act.
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
• Generally, with more verbal and/or
nonverbal communication and thus
information, there’s less
uncertainty.
• And high levels of uncertainty
cause us to seek more
information.
• See axioms in book (also online).
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Strategies for getting information:
• Passive: not doing anything
• Active: taking action to get
information, but not interacting with
person.
• Interactive: interacting with person.
Social Penetration Theory
• Idea that relationships move
toward greater intimacy over time
in a series of stages.
• As this happens, communication
changes.
• Stages differ in different models.
Social Penetration Theory
Social Penetration Theory
• Increasing self disclosure –
information that isn’t public or
obvious – over time.
• With more intimacy,
communication more informal,
trusting, efficient, and unified.
• Breadth & depth of disclosure…
Social Penetration Theory
Social Penetration Theory
Problem with models:
• Communication drives relationship
change – not a mere byproduct.
• Not all relationships meant to
progress toward intimacy.
• Relationships seem independent
of people involved in them
Social Exchange Theory
Definition:
“The voluntary transference of some
object or activity [resources given at
costs] from one person to another in
return for other objects or activities
[rewards]” – Roloff
Social Exchange Theory
• Sees relationships as process of
give and take.
• Concept is based in economics.
Social Exchange Theory
Rewards/Resources:
• Love
• Status
• Services
• Goods
• Information
• Money
Social Exchange Theory
Costs:
• Investment costs
• Direct costs
• Opportunity costs
Social Exchange Theory
Types of social exchange
• Direct: between two people, in
which the two people benefit
directly from each other
• Generalized: involves more than
two people; you may not receive
from person to whom you give.
Social ExchangeTheory
Social ExchangeTheory
How do we know exchange is fair?
• Equality: outcomes are equal.
• Equity: outputs depend on inputs.
• Darwinian: outcomes depend on
what you can get.
• Marxist: outcomes depend on
need.