Social Information Processing Theory

This theory is my favorite theory that we've looked at so far. Social Information Processing Theory, otherwise known as SIP, looks at creating good relationships with others over the internet, and how they have the potential to be as strong as relationships formed face to face, it just takes a little longer. The whole "online relationship" phenomenon that is sweeping through our country makes this theory even more interesting to study. I do believe that this theory is very accurate in that it is possible to create a solid, healthy relationship on the internet. It is also accurate in saying that it takes longer than a face to face relationship to fully develop. A great example of this theory in action, for me, happened this summer. I met a guy online, through facebook, and we began to talk a lot through messages. Soon enough, we were talking over instant messenger, then the phone, and we eventually went to a movie together. The whole process, had it happened face to face, probably would've only taken a few days to get underway. However, because we initiated the relationship online, it took us 4 months before we actually met, mostly because it was weird for both of us that we were meeting online. My relationship with him was a lot like relationships I had with other guys, it just started on the internet. I definitely think the SIP theory is accurate and is probably proved more than most professionals realize. One thing that also stuck out to me was when we were discussing the critique of this theory in class, and one of the weaknesses mentioned was that CMC relationships CAN in fact form quickly. I also agree with this. Although it took 4 months for me to physically meet with this guy, our relationship in terms of the depth of things we talked about happened a lot faster than with my current boyfriend who I met face to face initially. In fact, I would say I was closer to the guy I met online than I was with a lot of my friends simply because of our deep conversations. Overall, I think this is a great theory, and is definitely going to come into the spotlight more now that there is a such a fetish with facebook and myspace and other online forums.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

This particular theory is the one I have struggled with the most so far. Basically, the Uncertainty Reduction Theory says we want to be able to predict and explain what is going to happen when we initially encounter someone. We think about what we should do as well as what is going on in the other person's mind. There are eight axioms surrounding the theory, and all of them are easily applied to a real life situation. The one axiom that stuck out in my mind the most was the sixth one because I have encountered it so much this semester. I am a brand new Comm. Studies major, and I'm starting out as a senior. When the semester began, I was positive I was the only senior to switch my major this late in the game and I was really uncertain about the people I was going to have class with. The sixth axiom says that as similarities increase, our uncertainty decreases. On my first day of class, I met 3 other students that were seniors just now switching into Communication Studies. I immediately felt more confident and at ease knowing that there were other people in the same boat that I am.

Social Penetration Theory

Even though I wasn't in class when we discussed the Social Penetration Theory, when I started to study it and break it down, it made sense pretty quickly. The Social Penetration Theory explains how we develop "closeness" in our relationships, whether they are romantic or just friendships. The theory says that self-disclosure is the primary way to develop close relationships. I think this theory holds true because I have also learned that self-disclosure will increase how close you are with someone in my Interpersonal Communication course. Also, it reminds me of my freshman year at Malone College. When I got to Malone, I didn't know anyone. However, I had joined something called "The Cluster" which was a group of students who all had the same classes and met regularly outside of class for different activities. At first, those of us in The Cluster weren't close at all. However, the more we shared with each other inside and outside the classroom, the more we "self-disclosed", the closer we became. When I told the girls in my cluster group about how much I was struggling with my roommate, they were able to help me with some issues. Some of those girls are my best friends today. I definitely think the Social Penetration Theory holds true.

Expectancy Violations Theory

The Expectancy Violations Theory that we studied in class last week was something I had never independently thought about, but something that applies to my life more than I realize. Basically, the theory concerns expectations people have about how others are going to communicate with you, be it proxemics, eye contact, touch or an expression on someone's face. Sometimes, expectations you have of how someone will communicate are violated, and the theory aims to point out the problems that can arise when these expectations are violated. The first situation that popped in my head when studying this theory actually happened the day after we discussed the theory in class. My boyfriend took me to his best friends house for lunch, and his friend's mom was there. When she greeted me, she pulled me in close and hugged me and then proceeded to kiss me on the cheek three times. I had expected maybe a handshake or a pat on the back, and when my expectations were violated, I was almost immediately uncomfortable.

However, the second part of the theory that we discussed was the Communicator Reward Valence. This is how we analyze the situation: the positive or negative attributes of the person and that person's potential to reward or punish you. In the case of my friend's mom, her opinion of me matters to her son, so the fact that she seemed to like me was potentially rewarding. Also, I knew she meant well, and she seemed like a nice person, so after my initial discomfort, I saw her greeting as a positive attribute and my discomfort went away. Had I interpreted it differently, I might have declined hanging out at my friend's house in the future because of my discomfort.

I'm kindof looking forward to seeing how the other theories apply!