Summary: The Relational Uncertainty Reduction Model

Uncertainty reduction theory does not offer predictions of relationship satisfaction, other than to say that people are more motivated to reduce uncertainty in a relationship that is perceived to be rewarding in terms of social support, respect, loyalty and so on (Knobloch 2009). However, URT says that uncertainty impedes the development of intimacy and predicts a linear relationship between uncertainty and intimacy. Because the focus of URT is on initial interactions, it makes sense that decreasing uncertainty would result in increased intimacy. Because we are interested in romantic relationships, we will use the relational turbulence model to explain the role of uncertainty in relationship satisfaction.
The relational turbulence model, developed