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Questions and Answers
What does expectancy violations theory specifically examine?
What does expectancy violations theory specifically examine?
What is the goal of expectancy violations theory (EVT)?
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.
In EVT, _____ refers to the study of a person's use of space.
proxemics
Match the proxemic zones with their descriptions.
Match the proxemic zones with their descriptions.
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What are the assumptions of EVT?
What are the assumptions of EVT?
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In EVT, the _____ Threshold refers to tolerance for distance violations.
In EVT, the _____ Threshold refers to tolerance for distance violations.
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How do we interpret an expectancy violation according to EVT?
How do we interpret an expectancy violation according to EVT?
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What is a positive aspect of EVT?
What is a positive aspect of EVT?
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What are EVT's metatheoretical assumptions?
What are EVT's metatheoretical assumptions?
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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.
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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.
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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
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Positives:
- Clear parameters, validity, and testability.
- Useful in diverse areas such as relational communication and social influence.
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Criticisms:
- Lacks consideration of cultural differences.
- Self-reported arousal may be unreliable.
Metatheoretical Assumptions of EVT
- Advocates a scientific approach to understanding communication dynamics.
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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!
