From "Uncertainty Identity Theory" by Michael Hogg

The key premise is that feelings of uncertainty 

about oneself and one’s perceptions, attitudes, val- 

ues, and behaviors that reflect on one’s identity and 

sense of self are “aversive” and motivate attempts 

at resolution. Where one believes one has sufficient 

resources to reduce the uncertainty, self-uncertainty 

is experienced as a challenge that sponsors pro- 

motive or approach behaviors; where the resources 

are considered insufficient, self-uncertainty is expe- 

rienced as a threat that sponsors more protective 

or avoidant behaviors (cf. Blascovich & Tomaka, 

1996). 

Not only can the subjective experience of self- 

uncertainty vary to sponsor different general behav- 

ioral orientations toward its resolution, but the general 

path taken and the underlying psychological mecha- 

nism can also differ. UIT focuses on group identifi- 

cation through self-categorization (e.g., Turner, Hogg, 

Oakes, Reicher, & Wetherell, 1987), which it considers 

perhaps the most effective way to reduce and protect 

from self-uncertainty. Uncertainty-reduction is consid- 

ered a core motive for social identity processes (Hogg, 

2006).