Comm250 Expectancy Violations Theory Quiz

Questions and Answers

What does expectancy violations theory specifically examine?

How to create expectations

How to reinforce expectations

What happens when someone violates our expectations (correct)

The importance of verbal communication

What is the goal of expectancy violations theory (EVT)?

To suggest that people hold expectations about the nonverbal behavior of others.

In EVT, _____ refers to the study of a person's use of space.

proxemics

Match the proxemic zones with their descriptions.

Intimate Distance = 0-18 inches, very close interactions Personal Distance = 18-4 feet, for family and friends Social Distance = 4-12 feet, formal relationships Public Distance = 12 feet and beyond, formal discussions Signup and view all the answers

What are the assumptions of EVT?

Expectancies drive human interaction; expectancies are learned from culture; predictions about nonverbal behavior are made. Signup and view all the answers

In EVT, the _____ Threshold refers to tolerance for distance violations.

threat Signup and view all the answers

How do we interpret an expectancy violation according to EVT?

By attempting to interpret the meaning from unexpected changes in conversational distance based on the perceived reward value of the violator. Signup and view all the answers

What is a positive aspect of EVT?

Valid and testable Signup and view all the answers

What are EVT's metatheoretical assumptions?

Scientific approach to studying communication. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Expectancy Violations Theory (EVT)

Examines consequences of violating interpersonal expectations in communication.
Violations can be perceived as positive or negative, influencing conversation dynamics.

Goal of EVT

Highlighted role of expectations regarding nonverbal behavior in social interactions.

Proxemics Research

Proxemics: analysis of personal space use and interpersonal distance.
Proxemic Zones (concept by Edward Hall):
- Intimate Distance: 0-18 inches; strong personal engagement.
- Personal Distance: 18 inches to 4 feet; typical for family and close friends.
- Social Distance: 4-12 feet; common in formal interactions, like with colleagues.
- Public Distance: 12 feet and beyond; used for formal presentations or discussions.
Territoriality: concept of ownership over spaces/objects:
- Primary Territories: Exclusively owned by an individual.
- Secondary Territories: Areas or objects with which one has an affiliation.
- Public Territories: Open to all, such as parks and beaches.

Assumptions of EVT

Expectancies influence all human interactions.
Individuals bring pre-interactional (skills/knowledge) and interactional (behaviors) expectations into communication.
Behavior expectations are culturally learned.
Predictive judgments about nonverbal cues are integral to interactions.

Key Concepts of EVT

Threat Threshold: level of tolerance for violations in personal space.
Violation Valence: subjective positive or negative evaluation of unexpected behaviors.
Communicator Reward Valence: assessment of a person's overall characteristics affecting their potential rewards or punishments.

Interpreting Expectancy Violations

Expectancy violations create arousal and ambiguity in conversations.
Individuals assess the violator's perceived value:
- Higher reward value leads to more positive interpretations of violations.

Evaluation of EVT

Positives:
- Clear parameters, validity, and testability.
- Useful in diverse areas such as relational communication and social influence.
Criticisms:
- Lacks consideration of cultural differences.
- Self-reported arousal may be unreliable.

Metatheoretical Assumptions of EVT

Advocates a scientific approach to understanding communication dynamics.

Description

Test your knowledge on the Expectancy Violations Theory (EVT) with this quiz. Learn how this theory analyzes the impact of unexpected behaviors in communication and the judgments we make about them. Perfect for students of communication studies!