Theorists & Critiques
This theorist created Expectancy Violations Theory.
Who is Judee Burgoon?
The study of distance between people.
What is proxemics?
Tyler expects his professor to shake hands after class, but instead the professor hugs him. Tyler’s mental prediction is called this EVT concept.
What is expectancy?
Ben feels happy when his friend surprises him with a hug. The positive meaning he assigns to the hug is called ______.
What is violation valence?
This concept evaluates the overall “worth” of the person committing the violation.
What is communicator reward valence?
Jenna automatically says “I’m good, how are you?” without thinking. This example supports the critique that EVT ignores ______.
What is reciprocity / automatic behavior?
While waiting for coffee, Lena notices the man behind her is only inches away. She steps forward without saying anything. EVT predicts this automatic reaction.
What is flight (fight/flight/freeze response)?
Maya expects her boss to maintain professional distance during meetings. Her expectation is shaped mostly by this factor.
What is context/setting?
Sophia feels irritated when a stranger taps her shoulder to ask a question. Her reaction shows a ______ violation.
What is a negative violation?
Coach Daniels invades personal space during a pep talk and the team feels motivated instead of uncomfortable. This shows high ______.
What is communicator reward valence?
EVT first began with the idea of this concept before expanding.
What is personal space?
Carlos grew up in a culture where standing close during conversation is normal. His classmates keep backing away when he talks. This EVT factor explains the misunderstanding.
What is cultural norms / culture?
Omar assumes his longtime friend will sit close during a movie but expects a new classmate to sit farther away. These differences are influenced by ______.
What are relationship factors?
Two people receive the same unexpected compliment; one feels flattered, the other feels awkward. This shows violation valence is ______.
What is subjective / personal?
Alex forgives his best friend for interrupting him but gets angry when a coworker does the same. EVT says Alex is evaluating ______.
What is what he can gain or lose from the person?
Examples of EVT cues include touch, tone, eye contact, and this visual aspect of how someone presents themselves.
What is appearance?
This idea was once thought to always signal danger but was later debunked because violations can be positive.
What is the threat threshold?
Emily predicts her coach will give motivational pats on the shoulder because of the coach’s personality and authority. These influences are called ______.
What are communicator characteristics?
Marcus laughs when his sibling jumps out to scare him, but he’d be angry if a stranger did it. This shows valence depends on ______.
What is relationship / who the person is?
A child accepts close physical proximity from a parent but not from a stranger. This example is commonly used to explain ______.
What is communicator reward valence?
Researchers debate whether reactions are more influenced by the person or the action itself. This is known as the ______ debate.
What is communicator vs. behavior valence?
When Nina feels uncomfortable in an elevator because someone is too close, she crosses her arms and avoids eye contact. These are examples of ______ cues.
What are nonverbal cues?
EVT says expectancy is based on what we think will happen, not necessarily what we ______.
What is want / desire?
EVT argues that violations are not automatically negative — they are ______.
What is contextual?
Riley doesn’t mind when her favorite celebrity stands close for a photo but would mind if a stranger did. This concept explains why.
communicator reward valence?