Expectancy Violation

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Expectancy Violation

Introduction

The expectancy violation theory examines people’s reactions to other people’s non-verbal behavior. This is evident by the way people reward or punish these behaviors thus making it a negative or a positive interaction. For example, a party can either nod or smile in response to a certain behavior. According to the expectancy theory in Judee Burgoon’s description, Expectancy Violation Theory deals with communicator, expectancy and violation reward valence (Miller, 2004). Furthermore, the proxemics discussed by Edward Hall includes the intimate, personal, social and the public distances. The intimate distance gives a zero to eighteen inches allowance. The personal distance has eighteen inches to four feet allowance. The social distance has a four feet allowance while the public distance has a ten feet or more allowance (Campo, Cameron, Brossard, & Frazer, 2004). The distance determines the response to expect.

Experiment

In order to verify this theory, I decided to attend a social sports game that we normally have in my neighborhood once in a while. However, I decided to wear a short red dress and stilettos (high heels) to the event. Of course, everybody else would wear track-suits or casual jeans with a pair of snickers. At the social event there were people who knew me while others did not. I also made sure that I made a couple of trips to the ice cream bar which was on the opposite end of the field. When it was time for everybody to get involved with an activity, I also made sure I took part in the running activity.

After a couple of days, I wore the same shot red dress to a dinner invitation I received from one of my friends. I stayed at the venue for two hours and then I left.

Result

I observed the people’s reaction when I first showed up at the sports event. People looked at me in a surprised way. Some were embarrassed while others wanted to know whether I was just passing by on my way to a different event. I saw a few people giggling when facing in my direction. Someone directly asked me whether I had planned coming to the event or it was an unplanned appearance. The dinner event turned out better. I only received compliments of how lovely I looked in the red dress and how it suited the occasion.

Discussion

According to Houser, people used to having a particular traditional way of viewing issues have a conservative perception as compared to those who are more open minded (2005). This was in response to an experiment conducted in analyzing how different people view different issues contrary to their expectations. Consequently, the people at the events showed both positive and negative reactions. The people at the sports event showed a negative reaction. This is because I had worn something that was meant for a dinner event or a ball, which was contrary to their expectations. In their view, I was either crazy or on my way to another event. Those at the dinner event showed positive reaction since they thought that I had worn the compliments and admiration.

According to the proxemics, I was within the people’s social and public distance (West, 2000). This is why they could not help realizing my inappropriate dressing. They felt embarrassed and uncomfortable by way of dressing to such an event. Those who laughed and made comments found it interesting that I was acting against the norm. Otherwise, I was not invading their space. The dinner event turned out better since I was wearing as expected. The response was positive.

Conclusion

The distance between the expectancy violator and the people will determine the people’s reactions. People were uncomfortable and embarrassed but they did not act violently such since the distances were social and public both at the dinner and sports event. If there was an intimate distance at any of the events the results would have been different. Most people tend to react positively to a violated expectancy as long as it is not negatively affecting them.

References

Campo, S., Cameron, K. A., Brossard, D., & Frazer. M. S. (2004). Social Norms and Expectancy Violation Theories: Assessing the Effectiveness of Health Communication Campaigns. Communication Monographs, 71, 448-470

Houser, M. L., (2005). Are We Violating Their Expectations? Instructor Communication Expectations of Traditional and Nontraditional Students. Communication Quarterly, 53 (2), 213-228.

Miller, K (2004). Communication Theories: Perspectives, Processes, and Contexts. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

West, R., & Turner, L. H. (2000). Introducing communication theory: Analysis and application. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield.