Homework Clinic
Social Science Clinic => Business => Communications => Topic started by: azncindy619 on Jan 21, 2021
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Question 1
What is meant by relationship-specific social decentering? Provide an example.
Question 2
What is the underlying assumption of uncertainty reduction theory? Give an example of how we can reduce uncertainties.
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Answer 1
- Social decentering helps us to understand our partner better, and that understanding allows us to choose effective strategies for accomplishing our communication goals, adapting to our partner's current behavior, and anticipating his or her responses. It is based on a specific relationship.
- Studies have shown that the more intimate the relationship, the higher the respondents' relationship-specific social decentering scores were, and the higher the relational satisfaction reported by both partners was.
- Relationship partners have expectations that their partner understands them and treats them in a manner that reflects that understanding. Repeated failure to display relationship-specific social decentering behavior is likely to contribute to relational dissatisfaction.
* For example, after getting angry with your partner for not doing the dishes as agreed, you are likely to get even more upset if you find that your partner didn't realize she or he had made you angry.
- Student examples will vary.
Answer 2
- We like to have control and predictability in our lives; therefore, when we are faced with uncertainty, we are driven to gain information to reduce that uncertainty.
- We can, for example, reduce uncertainties through technology; we can use Facebook and other social media to learn about someone without the other person being aware.
- Student examples will vary.