Uncertainty Concepts: What You Need to Know

What are the concepts identified by Berger and Calabrese as being related to uncertainty?

A) Ambiguity

B) Equivocality

C) Information Overload

D) Certainty

Final answer:

The concept of Certainty is not considered part of the uncertainty concepts identified by Berger and Calabrese. Their Uncertainty Reduction Theory focuses on exploring behaviors in uncertain situations, which do not include certainty. Option D is correct.

Explanation:

The subjects of uncertainty, ambiguity, and equivocality are all concepts identified by Charles Berger and Richard Calabrese in their Uncertainty Reduction Theory, which is a foundational theory in the field of social and communication studies. This theory deals with how individuals interact and communicate, particularly in initial interactions, to reduce uncertainties. While there might be a level of uncertainty because of either Information Overload or lack of clarity (Ambiguity) or multiple meanings (Equivocality), the concept of Certainty is not discussed by Berger and Calabrese as it is the opposite of uncertainty and doesn't lend itself to exploring the compensatory behaviors people employ when faced with uncertain situations. Hence, among the options, Certainty is not identified by Berger and Calabrese as being related to uncertainty.