Our focus in this book of offering a variety of theories with practical applications leaves little room in the text itself to evaluate the theories. In most cases, we allow students with their instructors to develop their own evaluations, based on the standards we provide in Chapter 1. However, some of the theories in this chapter have received a great deal of evaluative attention. For that reason, we offer summaries of some of the critiques and responses below.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory: First, it should be noted that the axioms in this theory are causal statements about the relationship between variables. They are set forward by Berger and Calabrese (1975) with the intent that future research establish their validity. Thus, they are not, as some (e.g., Griffin, 2000) argue, “self-evident truths” in the manner of a mathematical axiom (p. 137). See Miller, 2002 for discussion of this issue.

In terms of evaluation, some have questioned the validity of this core assumption, arguing either that (1) it is not whether you can predict the other, but if you like what you anticipate that leads your relationship to grow (Sunnafrank, 1986); or (2) that predictability is not always desired (Planalp & Honeycutt, 1985). The dialectic perspective, below, will elaborate on this second point.

Social Penetration Theory: Introduction to theory books—and introductory students—sometimes critique this theory as being too one-directional, that is, that the progression of increase in depth and breadth of self-disclosure from stage to stage (orientationexploratory affective exchangefull affective exchangestable exchange) is simply too linear. However, the original authors themselves (Altman & Taylor, 1973) noted that relationships often move backwards and forwards along the continuum of intimacy.

References:
Altman, I., & Taylor, D. A. (1973). Social penetration: The development of interpersonal relationships. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.
Berger, C. R., & Calabrese, R. J. (1975). Some explorations in initial interaction and beyond: Toward a developmental theory of interpersonal communication. Human Communication Research, 1, 99-112.
Griffin, E. (2000). A first look at communication theory (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Miller, K. (2002). Communication theories: Perspectives, processes, and contexts. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Planalp, S., & Honeycutt, J. M. (1985). Events that increase uncertainty in personal relationships. Human Communication Research, 11, 593-604.
Sunnafrank, M. (1986). Predicted outcome value during initial interactions. Human Communication Research, 13, 3-33.

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