Expectancy Violations Theory???IDK what that is!

Expectancy Violations Theory???IDK what that is!

No need to cry, Andie…

5Everything you need to Know

is in key points

1The theory’s

definition

Expectancy Violations Theory explains a wide

range of communication outcomes associated with violations of expectations

about nonverbal communication behavior.

Okay, you still don’t get it. Try thinking about it like this…

Expectancy Violations Theory basically says that in

any social interaction we expect to encounter certain nonverbal behaviors from

those around us but if anyone deviates from what we typically expect, then an

expectancy violation has occurred.

Ohhh, I get it now!

Here’s an example…

When you’re at the movies,you’re not supposed to talk

during the film.

When you’re at the movies,you’re not supposed to talk

during the film.

Ben and Andie do.

This is an expectancy violation.

This is an expectancy violation.

Ben and Andie are disobeying the expectations of those around them by talking when they are supposed to be

silent.

Get it Andie?

Get it Andie?

I got it! What’s the next point?

2Who uses this

theory?

Expectancy Violations Theory was one of the first

theories of nonverbal communication.

It is often used in studies focused on interpersonal

communication but because expectations are present anytime there is a social interaction, expectancy violations theory can be

useful in any area of communication studies.

Below, Ben is asking, “why do I care?”

Great question, Ben.That brings us to our next point.

3Why it’s important

This one is for you, Ben.

Expectancy violations theory is important because a violation of

our nonverbal expectations is unsettling and often

uncomfortable.

Expectancy violations theory assumes that we have

attitudes about expected nonverbal behaviors and that

our interpretation and evaluation of nonverbal

behaviors are how we decide to approve of some behaviors

and disapprove of others.

Ben doesn’t seem convinced.

Here’s an example…

Andie and Ben’s first meeting.

Andie and Ben’s first meeting. They’re into each other.

How do you know?

How do you know?By their nonverbal behavior.

Notice the eye contact, the smiling, and Ben’s hand on Andie’s hip.

All signs that they are both approving thenonverbal language.

All signs that they are both approving thenonverbal language.

Ben and Andie are demonstrating positively valenced behavior.

Valence is the term used to describe the

evaluation of a behavior.

Positive valence means you have a positive reaction to a behavior (like Ben

and Andie in the last example).

Negative valence means the you have a negative reaction to a

behavior (such as being subjected to a rude or insulting

gesture).

Here’s an example…

Andie is appalled and hurt that Ben let their “love fern” die.

Andie is appalled and hurt that Ben let their “love fern” die.

She is subjected to negatively valenced behavior.

Making more sense?

Making more sense?

You know, Ben, you could always make up for that negative behavior with a little

positive action. (hint, hint)

There’s nothing like a little positive valence to help mend a lover’s quarrel.

I think he gets it! What’s next?

4What the critics say

Some writers have issues with the expectancy violations theory because they believe that self-perception does not provide a valid measurement for emotional arousal (aka the unsettling feeling that comes from a violation of

nonverbal expectancies).

Emotional arousal is a complicated and layered concept and it is a key component in the expectancy violations theory, but debates

continue.

Ready for the final point?

Ready for the final point?

I know. The suspense is killing you.

5EVT in your daily life

Every day you engage in social interactions and in every social

interaction your body language and nonverbal behaviors speak louder than

your verbal communication.

At work,

At work,

With friends,

With friends,

On your first date,

Or at your anniversary dinner,

You are constantly demonstrating nonverbal behaviors.

So do yourself a favor

So do yourself a favorand think before you

act.

You never know where positive valence might lead.

References

1 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

2-3 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/022.html

6 Data: Infante, D.A., Rancer, A.S., & Avtgis, T.A. (2010). Contemporary communication theory. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

7-8 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/022.html

9 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

10 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/002.html

11 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

13-15 Image: http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/2003/how-to-lose-a-guy-in-10-days/

17 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/002.html

19-20 Data: Infante, D.A., Rancer, A.S., & Avtgis, T.A. (2010). Contemporary communication theory. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

21-22 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/019.html

Slide & Source Slide & Source24-25 Data: Infante, D.A., Rancer, A.S., & Avtgis, T.A.

(2010). Contemporary communication theory. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

26 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/003.html

27 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

28-33 Image: http://thecia.com.au/reviews/h/how-to-lose-a-guy-in-10-days.shtml

34-36 Data: Infante, D.A., Rancer, A.S., & Avtgis, T.A. (2010). Contemporary communication theory. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

37-38 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/024.html

41 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/004.html

44-45 Data: West, R, & Turner, L.H. (2004). Introducing communication theory: analysis and application[2nd ed.]. (Online learning center), Retrieved from http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0767430344/student_view0/chapter8.Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

47 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/016.html

References

49 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

50 Image:http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/012.html

51 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/021.html

52 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/006.html

53 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/010.html

54 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/007.html

55 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/005.html

56 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/020.html

57-58 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

59 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/008.html

60-61 Image: http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/movie-pictures/2003_How_to_Lose_a_Guy_in_10_Days/001.html

Slide & Source