Social Penetration Theory And Uncertainty Reduction Theory

“Managing physical distance can be difficult in all types of personal relationships” (Sahlstein, 2006, pg. 2). Social Penetration Theory and Uncertainty Reduction Theory can be applied to long-distance relationships to better understand why these relationships are more difficult and why conflict arises in certain situations. Social penetration and self-disclosure are important to make any relationship work, but with long-distance relationships it is even more critical. “Relationships develop through the reciprocal exchange of information, beginning with relatively non-intimate topics and gradually progressing to more personal and private topics” (Cassell and Bickmore, 2003, pg. 94). You need to make sure you are communicating and disclosing

By not having the luxury of face-to-face communication, due to the distance, maintaining the relationship can be more difficult because levels of uncertainty can be very high. The couple must learn to reduce uncertainty because “interpersonal relationships develop as participants reduce uncertainty about each other” (Parks & Adelman, 1983, pg. 55). It has been “found that physical distance was an uncertainty-inducing event” (Aylor & Danton, 2001, pg. 175). It is also suggested that “although uncertainty is likely to occur in all established relationships, it may be even more likely in LDRs, as physical distance is a common source of relational uncertainty” (Aylor & Danton, 2001, pg. 175). Insecurity can be felt pertaining to your partner or the relationship if you have a high level of uncertainty in your partner or relationship, and it is likely that you have a hard time trusting the person. This causes internal questioning about the success of the relationship while being long-distance due to the level of trust felt. Doubting and having trust issues along with a high level of uncertainty can cause conflict leading the relationship to be