Berger explains uncertainty reduction theory as an "increased knowledge of what kind of person another is, which provides an improved forecast of how a future interaction will turn out".
In the first stage, city officials increased "the frequency of crisis communication, explaining recent events over five news conferences held during the week, and providing resources for citizens seeking information.
[13] For example, Theodore Avtgis's findings in a study of married couples could be considered as an axiom: "...as uncertainty between spouses decreases, reports of emotional and social support increase.
[8] Proactive uncertainty reduction, which is making predictions of the most likely alternative actions the other person might take, is strategic communication planning prior to interaction.
[8] In initial meetings, people attempt to predict what the other may want to hear based on the meaning they acquired from previous statements, observations, or information ascertained.
One important question that was investigated was; what motivates people to join or identify with groups and engage in specific forms of inter-group behavior?
There is also evidence that people who are highly uncertain about themselves are more likely to identify with more homogeneous groups to reduce their uncertainty of self and reach a more definite state.
[54] Research studies have applied uncertainty reduction theory to online information seeking utilized in the context of job hiring.
Using uncertainty reduction strategies through online sources have proven to be good predictions and indicators of targeted individuals.
"[56] In addition, Vivian C. Sheer and Rebecca J. Cline proposed and tested a model of perceived information adequacy and uncertainty reduction in doctor‐patient interactions.
[59] Antheunis, Marjolijn L., et al. investigated whether language-based strategies, employed by computer-mediated communication users, would aid in reducing uncertainties despite the absence of nonverbal cues.
"[60] In addition, a study was conducted on 704 members of a social networking site to see what reduction theory strategies they used while gaining information on people they had recently met in person.
[62] Online auction platforms such as eBay are considered to be risky and uncertain environments for exchange, especially from the standpoint of the bidder, as there is limited information available regarding both the merchandise and the seller.
[64] One means to reduce the uncertainty of a product's worth is having extensive descriptions and pictures of the item available and more positive feedback from previous users.
[65] Findings from the study illustrate that uncertainty reduction theory provides an insightful framework in which individuals' initial interactions in the context of online auctions can be understood.
The study also provides evidence that strategies for reducing uncertainty in online initial interaction are similar to those used in face-to-face transactions.
Gibbs, Ellison and Lai report that individuals on online dating websites attempt to reduce uncertainty at three levels: personal security, misrepresentation, and recognition.
The option to view profiles online without needing to directly contact an individual is the main premise of passively reducing uncertainties.
Gibbs, et al. found that "participants who used uncertainty reduction strategies tended to disclose more personal information in terms of revealing private thoughts and feelings, suggesting a process whereby online dating participants proactively engage in uncertainty reduction activities to confirm the private information of others, which then prompts their own disclosure.
"[59] Parents and surrogate mothers have great incentive for reducing uncertainty, taking optimal control, and finding a suitable third party for their pregnancy process.
May and Tenzek assert that three themes emerged from their study of online ads from surrogate mothers: idealism, logistics, and personal information.
Cynthia Palmieri, Kristen Prestano, Rosalie Gandley, Emily Overton and Qin Zhang investigated the effects of self-disclosure on Facebook on perceived uncertainty reduction.
Through their studies with 1,159 students from 10 universities in the United States, Kathy Kellerman and Rodney Reynolds conclude that "no need exists to integrate concern for uncertainty reduction into the axiomatic framework" (1990).
They also provide evidence with their studies that there is no association between information seeking and level of uncertainty, which disprove axiom 3 developed by Berger and Calabrese.
Planalp and Honeycutt suggest that people's potential changes, lack of understanding each other, or impetuous behavior will increase uncertainty in communication outside initial interaction.
Michael Sunnafrank's predicted outcome value theory (1986) indicated that the actual motivation for interaction is a desire for positive relational experiences.
[77] MRU suggests that different levels of motivation to reduce uncertainty can lead to certain communication behaviors depending on competing goals.
[72] Gudykunst also points out that uncertainty reduction theory was formulated to describe the actions and behaviors of middle-class, white strangers in the United States.
[82] As stated above, uncertainty reduction theory was originated to fit a context of initial, face-to-face interactions in Western cultures.
Berger also acknowledges the works of Gudykunst, et al. (1985) and Parks and Adelman (1983) to extend uncertainty reduction theory to the realm of more established relationships.