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The Gap Reduction Theory Of The University Of California

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Going to college is a scary thing whether a student is fresh out of high school, a non-traditional student going back after many years, or anything in between. It can be very daunting to keep up with the level of understanding required for college courses. Many subjects, especially math and writing, are found to be a challenge for a lot of students. Therefore, the University has provided free tutoring services to help increase the quality of learning and experience and to help students reach their maximum learning potential. Unfortunately, several students do not take advantage of this free service. One reason some might not use the service, is that it may be difficult for them to admit that they need help. For others, it is the uncertainty of the unknown that deters them. The anxiety or uncomfortableness that often accompanies new situations leaves numerous students trying to trudge through on their own.
Charles Berger, an American professor emeritus of communication at the University of California, Davis, formulated the communication theory called the Uncertainty Reduction Theory. In A First Look at Communication Theory, Griffin (2012), explains Berger’s theory as the following:
Uncertainty reduction theory focuses on how human communication is used to gain knowledge and create understanding…When strangers meet, their primary concern is one of uncertainty reduction or increasing predictability about the behavior of both themselves and others in the interaction (p.125).

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