Communicating perceived racism: An exploratory study on ideological determined uncertainty

Difficulties in reducing uncertainty are associated with interactions involving racism as an ideological construct that has social and interpersonal implications. A series of uncertainty and uncertainty reduction determinants were tested concerning a direct racism interaction. This study proposes an ideological and situational conception of uncertainty and uncertainty reduction in which racism is the medium through which uncertainty and its reduction practices are situated in an ideological context. Specifically, racism is identified as a pervasive characteristic within black-white interactions that constitutes the degree to which uncertainty is related to perceptions of the interaction where racism is an ideological experience for some and a situational experience for others.;230 individuals were surveyed to measure uncertainty through the use of triangulation research methods to reconceptualize traditional interpersonal communication interactions from its current conceptual state devoid of social issues that affect and impact social realities. This allows for new connections and insightful extrapolations in racism and uncertainty between self and self, and self and other. Results identified a fourth strategy in addition to the three general strategies Berger proposed in 1979 used to generate information about others (intra-active process). Results also indicated that several differing content issues emerged for racism ranging from employment quotas, racial name-calling; to verbal and physical threats based on race, and being punished by teachers and employers in positions of power. The intensity of racism was significantly related to anxiety, relational barriers and uncertainty reduction. T-test measurements demonstrated that blacks and whites, men and women and individuals born in a different era experience uncertainty in very different ways. The discussion highlights how ideology can inform future investigations on uncertainty in interpersonal communication.