Judee Burgoon's Expectancy Violation Theory
Introduction
Theorist Judee Burgoon is a well-respected contributor in the communication scholarly community. Not only has she formulated the eminent definition of a theory as “a set of systematic, informed hunches about the way things operate”, but she is also the founder of Expectancy Violation Theory (EVT). EVT is a communication theory that aims to provide an explanation for the nonverbal patterns and behaviors that occur when individuals interact interpersonally. Burgoon is a behavioral scientist that connects the dots between human interaction and influence of behavioral outcomes. The theory supports that dyadic social interaction has nonverbal expected behavior and that diverting from that social norm can alter the reaction of …show more content…
the individual one is engaging with either negatively or positively depending on their perception. This theory developed from the nonverbal expectancy violation model and particularly focuses on violation in relation to proxemics. EVT’s thesis is that violating nonverbal expectations can be persuasive under certain conditions (Griffin 2014). Judee Burgoon has spent a substantial amount of time editing and perfecting this theory. She originally founded it in 1978 and has continued to improve it up until as recently as last year, 2015. Burgoon’s theory is iconic in the communication scholar world because it is an effective tool used to make sense of nonverbal human communication. The purpose of this paper is to argue that Expectancy Violation Theory is worthy of being labeled as a “good” theory based on the six objective communication theory scientific standards. EVT has it’s weaknesses, namely predictability, however based on Griffin’s criteria EVT passes five out of six scientific standards. The theory’s success in meeting majority of the standards can be credited to the dedication Burgoon has invested in refining it continuously through the years, making improvements to its limitations. This essay will further breakdown the details of the theory and compare it against Griffin’s six scientific standards for a good objective theory. This critical breakdown will include the theory summary, worldview, and analysis.
(2 pages min- uses textbook plus sources here)
Theory Summary
While Judee Burgoon built EVT, she was influenced by other theorists’ previous research. Burgoon’s early construction of EVT was heavily rooted in the study of proxemics, or cultural specific spatial guidelines, from anthropologist Edward Hall (Griffin, 2015). Burgoon originally termed her theory “nonverbal expectancy violations model,” however, later decided to alter the name after revision and expansion to her foundational ideology (Griffin, 2015). Burgoon’s initial construct of EVT is specifically noteworthy due to its focus on nonverbal messages; nonverbal messages play a key role in creating meaning within human interactions and have been found to account for about 65% of all meaning in human interaction (Knapp & Daly, 2002). She was able to construct a practical, relevant theory that attempted to explain and predict nonverbal behavior. After many revisions, the theory now expands far beyond just proxemics, as it’s current model includes both verbal and nonverbal behaviors (Burgoon, 1993).
EVT can be summed up as a tool intended to sharpen the understanding of interpersonal human communication messages by predicting and explaining the ramifications of expectancy violations. The birth of the theory arose from Burgoon’s fascination with the influential byproduct of expectancy violations in social context (Burgoon, 1993). This theory is significant because by finding empirical evidence that supports this theory, we can predict and explain interpersonal phenomena universally across a wide range of differing cultures (Burgoon, 1993).
EVT has several key concepts and assumptions. One of these assumptions is that expectations are formed from social norms. Burgoon assumes that our behavioral expectancy is socially constructed by a culturally shared meaning (Griffin, 2015). These social norms define our expectations and serve as a framework for what we consider as “normal” or a “violation” in terms of expectancy. EVT supports the claim that our relationship with an individual strongly determines our reaction to an expectancy violation from them. Additionally, the person’s demographic and attractives also largely contributes to the perception of the violation (Griffin, 2015). EVT argues that the more attractive and positively you perceive the violation, the more the violator has to violate your expectations. On the contrary the more negatively you perceives the violator, the less room the violation has to violate your expectations.
A secondary assumption is that we determine whether or not we like the violation.
A third assumption is that some violations do not elicit neither a positive or negative response but rather, a neutral response. Key terminology associated with Expectancy Violations Theory help clarify the theory’s design. The theory regards personal space as the space encompassing an individual that determines that individual's prefered physical distance from others.
Threat threshold
Arousal, relational
Expectancy
Violation valence
Communicator reward valence
Interaction adaptation theory
Interaction position
Reciprocity
Categorical imperative
The following clearly explains the practicality of EVT stated by Burgoon:
“Nonverbal cues may be enlisted in efforts to enhance attitude change and to influence others. A number of strategies involving nonverbal behaviors can be used to manipulate the actions of others. Liking and approval cues, credibility appeals, power and status appeals, threat cues, attractiveness manipulations, attention arousal or distraction manipulations, and violations of expectations have all been found effective as modification techniques”. (Judee Burgoon, 1994. Page 168).
Theory Worldview (2 pages min- uses textbook plus sources here)
Within communication theory research, two worldviews are prevalent: interpretive and objective.
Of the two disciplines, Burgoon's Expectancy Violations Theory falls under the extreme end of the objective, or scientific, category. The objective worldview is unbiased and “concerned with facts uninfluenced by opinions or feelings” (Dictionary, 2016). The reason EVT is an object theory is because it tries to find one answer that works most of the time and works in terms of probability as it scientific in nature. It follows the premise that “truth is singular and is committed to uncovering a cause-and-effect relationship” (Griffin, 2015). Objectivity relies on empirical evidence and facts rather than perception. Two key purposes of EVT to explain and predict the relationship between expectancy violation and interpersonal communication. Within objective theories, prediction and explanation are essential components to defining the reasoning behind of a theory. Objective theories require testing, which EVT has endured several times throughout the …show more content…
years.
Additionally, Griffin conceptualized Craig's seven traditions in the field of communication theory which consist of Socio-psychological, cybernetic, rhetorical, semiotic,socio-cultural, critical, and phenomenological traditions (Griffin, 2015). EVT is placed at the socio-psychological tradition section of Griffin’s map. EVT’s placement is due to the fact that it takes an objective approach by following that “communication truths that can be discovered by careful, systematic observation” (Griffin, 2015). EVT’s testing consists of surveys or controlled experiments, which fits under the socio-psychological tradition (Griffin, 2015). EVT aims to predict behavior with a quantitative approach to reveal a cause-and-effect relationship within interpersonal communication. Since it is a theory considered with behavior prediction, it is also relevant in the world of persuasion research.
Scientific epistemology is the method of searching for knowledge and better understanding the world around us. EVT’s epistemology is searching for a universal nonverbal truth and is rooted in experimentation. EVT is based on the premise that human behavior is predictable, and that a singular truth is present unrelated to other factors in regards to communication. EVT supports the concept that evidence speaks for itself, and is a theory that is based in continuous experimentation that resulted in a pool of scientific data collection predictive of interpersonal communication. EVT takes a one size fits all approach to defining expectancy violation and it’s link to interpersonal communication. EVT wants to find answers that continue to hold true in various scenarios where expectancy violation affects communication. EVT’s answer to “if a tree falls in the woods and nobody's around to hear it, does it still make a sound?”would be an absolute yes since it’s objective worldview argues that other factors do not matter, there is only one universal truth. By understanding EVT’s scientific and definitive approach, we can better understand its overall goal.
A second important component of EVT’s worldview is it’s ontology, or the nature of being. EVT’s ontology is that humans respond to cause and effect stimuli and is deterministic in nature (Griffin, 2015). Determinism follows that behavior is caused directly by an individual's biology and environment and relies on empirical evidence. EVT argues that we act to expectancy violations as a response to a prior stimulus. This theory does not support the interpretive claim that we have free will and the conscious choice to manifest our own behaviors. EVT’s deterministic stance on ontology is appropriate because it allows for more predictability in research. A weakness of EVT’s deterministic outlook is that it dismisses the possibility that an individual has the ability to reason and make their own choices (Andersen, 1971).
Lastly, the third component of EVT’s worldview is axiology, or the theory’s values. EVT’s axiology is more concerned with nonverbal effectiveness rather than moral participation about nonverbal behavior. The reason behind this is EVT does not have a value structure that is involved with politics, religion, or economic subjects. EVT primary focus, or value, is its effectiveness for interpersonal communication. A huge strength of EVT is that it holds social relevance and emancipation, or liberation from oppression (Griffin, 2015). EVT’s primarily concerns are to successfully communicate information, ideas, and meaning to others (Griffin, 2015). Secondary to those concerns is expanding perspectives and encouraging independent thinking. EVT values structure and a uniformed systematic model.
To summarize, Judee Burgoon sees the world as a system of cause and effect. Her view is overall extremely scientific and objective. She considers knowledge to be gained by experience and experimentation. According to Burgoon, there are universal truths that are independent of other factors and replicated situations cannot produce different results if given the same conditions. As a theorists, Burgoon is not concerned with values within her research but rather the effectiveness of her theory.
Theory Analysis According to Griffin, there are six scientific standards that determine the “goodness” or value of objective communication theories. These six standards are prediction of future events, explanation of data, relative simplicity, testable hypotheses, practical utility and quantitative research (Griffin, 2015). The following section will explain whether or not EVT successfully passes each of the six scientific standards. EVT theoretical weakness is apparent when tested against the criteria of the first scientific standard, prediction of future events. Throughout the history of EVT’s development, testing of the theory’s application proved to produce mixed results with no clear definitive result (Griffin, 2015). An argument is inductively weak if it’s premises lack enough evidence to make the conclusion highly probable (Gustason, 1994). EVT has not produced consistent enough results to be deemed inductively strong or the first standard, prediction of future events. As we know from previous experiments used to apply EVT, the mixed results proved a low degree of evidential support and confirmed varying degrees of probability. For a communication theory to successfully pass the standard prediction of future events, it must yield steady results. Since probability is measured by degrees and is not dyadic by nature (Gustason, 1994), it is directly reliant on evidence to support its premise. EVT places the predict of future events more on the environment factors rather than the individual's cognition. On the contrary, EVT does successfully predict that a specific type of communication produces a specific response, however the theory falls short in terms of predicting what exactly that specific response is.
EVT successfully passes the second scientific standard of a good objective theory, explanation of data because it explains the dynamic of interpersonal human behavior and expectancy violations. DVT clearly describes the process of expectancy violation within interpersonal communication and explains why certain circumstances cause certain results.
Does EVT have a good explanation for why it happens?
How well does it explain behavior?
Does it make sense of the situation> how
What are the internal processes or environmental factors?
Additionally, EVT successfully passes the third scientific standard of a good objective theory, relative simplicity by being no more complex than it needs to be. It follows the rule of parsimony by providing a simple explanation for why we behave certain ways when our expectations are violated. EVT is well structured and offers a straightforward model for interpersonal communication. EVT delivers without unnecessary baggage, it is an example of quality over quantity. How is it simple? Examples...
EVT successfully passes the fourth scientific standard of a good objective theory, hypotheses that can be tested by meeting the requirement for falsifiability.
In other words, “it can be tested and disproved if it is indeed wrong”(Griffin, 2015). EVT is clearly stated
EVT successfully passes the fifth scientific standard of a good objective theory, practical utility by being relevant information for our everyday lives. As Burgoon stated, “communication expectancies are an important part of intercultural understanding and are defined as cultural guidelines for anticipating behavior” (Gregory, 2013).
Lastly, EVT successfully passes the sixth scientific standard of a good objective theory, quantitative research through experimentation.
Past criticism of EVT in regards to the standards. One criticism of Burgoon’s EVT is that this theory relies heavily on empirical evidence and experimentation. This can be problematic since research can have holes in it such as not having a large or diverse enough sample
size.
Theorist Judee Burgoon is a well-respected contributor in the communication scholarly community. Not only has she formulated the eminent definition of a theory as “a set of systematic, informed hunches about the way things operate”, but she is also the founder of Expectancy Violation Theory (EVT). EVT is a communication theory that aims to provide an explanation for the nonverbal patterns and behaviors that occur when individuals interact interpersonally. Burgoon is a behavioral scientist that connects the dots between human interaction and influence of behavioral outcomes. The theory supports that dyadic social interaction has nonverbal expected behavior and that diverting from that social norm can alter the reaction of …show more content…
the individual one is engaging with either negatively or positively depending on their perception. This theory developed from the nonverbal expectancy violation model and particularly focuses on violation in relation to proxemics. EVT’s thesis is that violating nonverbal expectations can be persuasive under certain conditions (Griffin 2014). Judee Burgoon has spent a substantial amount of time editing and perfecting this theory. She originally founded it in 1978 and has continued to improve it up until as recently as last year, 2015. Burgoon’s theory is iconic in the communication scholar world because it is an effective tool used to make sense of nonverbal human communication. The purpose of this paper is to argue that Expectancy Violation Theory is worthy of being labeled as a “good” theory based on the six objective communication theory scientific standards. EVT has it’s weaknesses, namely predictability, however based on Griffin’s criteria EVT passes five out of six scientific standards. The theory’s success in meeting majority of the standards can be credited to the dedication Burgoon has invested in refining it continuously through the years, making improvements to its limitations. This essay will further breakdown the details of the theory and compare it against Griffin’s six scientific standards for a good objective theory. This critical breakdown will include the theory summary, worldview, and analysis.
(2 pages min- uses textbook plus sources here)
Theory Summary
While Judee Burgoon built EVT, she was influenced by other theorists’ previous research. Burgoon’s early construction of EVT was heavily rooted in the study of proxemics, or cultural specific spatial guidelines, from anthropologist Edward Hall (Griffin, 2015). Burgoon originally termed her theory “nonverbal expectancy violations model,” however, later decided to alter the name after revision and expansion to her foundational ideology (Griffin, 2015). Burgoon’s initial construct of EVT is specifically noteworthy due to its focus on nonverbal messages; nonverbal messages play a key role in creating meaning within human interactions and have been found to account for about 65% of all meaning in human interaction (Knapp & Daly, 2002). She was able to construct a practical, relevant theory that attempted to explain and predict nonverbal behavior. After many revisions, the theory now expands far beyond just proxemics, as it’s current model includes both verbal and nonverbal behaviors (Burgoon, 1993).
EVT can be summed up as a tool intended to sharpen the understanding of interpersonal human communication messages by predicting and explaining the ramifications of expectancy violations. The birth of the theory arose from Burgoon’s fascination with the influential byproduct of expectancy violations in social context (Burgoon, 1993). This theory is significant because by finding empirical evidence that supports this theory, we can predict and explain interpersonal phenomena universally across a wide range of differing cultures (Burgoon, 1993).
EVT has several key concepts and assumptions. One of these assumptions is that expectations are formed from social norms. Burgoon assumes that our behavioral expectancy is socially constructed by a culturally shared meaning (Griffin, 2015). These social norms define our expectations and serve as a framework for what we consider as “normal” or a “violation” in terms of expectancy. EVT supports the claim that our relationship with an individual strongly determines our reaction to an expectancy violation from them. Additionally, the person’s demographic and attractives also largely contributes to the perception of the violation (Griffin, 2015). EVT argues that the more attractive and positively you perceive the violation, the more the violator has to violate your expectations. On the contrary the more negatively you perceives the violator, the less room the violation has to violate your expectations.
A secondary assumption is that we determine whether or not we like the violation.
A third assumption is that some violations do not elicit neither a positive or negative response but rather, a neutral response. Key terminology associated with Expectancy Violations Theory help clarify the theory’s design. The theory regards personal space as the space encompassing an individual that determines that individual's prefered physical distance from others.
Threat threshold
Arousal, relational
Expectancy
Violation valence
Communicator reward valence
Interaction adaptation theory
Interaction position
Reciprocity
Categorical imperative
The following clearly explains the practicality of EVT stated by Burgoon:
“Nonverbal cues may be enlisted in efforts to enhance attitude change and to influence others. A number of strategies involving nonverbal behaviors can be used to manipulate the actions of others. Liking and approval cues, credibility appeals, power and status appeals, threat cues, attractiveness manipulations, attention arousal or distraction manipulations, and violations of expectations have all been found effective as modification techniques”. (Judee Burgoon, 1994. Page 168).
Theory Worldview (2 pages min- uses textbook plus sources here)
Within communication theory research, two worldviews are prevalent: interpretive and objective.
Of the two disciplines, Burgoon's Expectancy Violations Theory falls under the extreme end of the objective, or scientific, category. The objective worldview is unbiased and “concerned with facts uninfluenced by opinions or feelings” (Dictionary, 2016). The reason EVT is an object theory is because it tries to find one answer that works most of the time and works in terms of probability as it scientific in nature. It follows the premise that “truth is singular and is committed to uncovering a cause-and-effect relationship” (Griffin, 2015). Objectivity relies on empirical evidence and facts rather than perception. Two key purposes of EVT to explain and predict the relationship between expectancy violation and interpersonal communication. Within objective theories, prediction and explanation are essential components to defining the reasoning behind of a theory. Objective theories require testing, which EVT has endured several times throughout the …show more content…
years.
Additionally, Griffin conceptualized Craig's seven traditions in the field of communication theory which consist of Socio-psychological, cybernetic, rhetorical, semiotic,socio-cultural, critical, and phenomenological traditions (Griffin, 2015). EVT is placed at the socio-psychological tradition section of Griffin’s map. EVT’s placement is due to the fact that it takes an objective approach by following that “communication truths that can be discovered by careful, systematic observation” (Griffin, 2015). EVT’s testing consists of surveys or controlled experiments, which fits under the socio-psychological tradition (Griffin, 2015). EVT aims to predict behavior with a quantitative approach to reveal a cause-and-effect relationship within interpersonal communication. Since it is a theory considered with behavior prediction, it is also relevant in the world of persuasion research.
Scientific epistemology is the method of searching for knowledge and better understanding the world around us. EVT’s epistemology is searching for a universal nonverbal truth and is rooted in experimentation. EVT is based on the premise that human behavior is predictable, and that a singular truth is present unrelated to other factors in regards to communication. EVT supports the concept that evidence speaks for itself, and is a theory that is based in continuous experimentation that resulted in a pool of scientific data collection predictive of interpersonal communication. EVT takes a one size fits all approach to defining expectancy violation and it’s link to interpersonal communication. EVT wants to find answers that continue to hold true in various scenarios where expectancy violation affects communication. EVT’s answer to “if a tree falls in the woods and nobody's around to hear it, does it still make a sound?”would be an absolute yes since it’s objective worldview argues that other factors do not matter, there is only one universal truth. By understanding EVT’s scientific and definitive approach, we can better understand its overall goal.
A second important component of EVT’s worldview is it’s ontology, or the nature of being. EVT’s ontology is that humans respond to cause and effect stimuli and is deterministic in nature (Griffin, 2015). Determinism follows that behavior is caused directly by an individual's biology and environment and relies on empirical evidence. EVT argues that we act to expectancy violations as a response to a prior stimulus. This theory does not support the interpretive claim that we have free will and the conscious choice to manifest our own behaviors. EVT’s deterministic stance on ontology is appropriate because it allows for more predictability in research. A weakness of EVT’s deterministic outlook is that it dismisses the possibility that an individual has the ability to reason and make their own choices (Andersen, 1971).
Lastly, the third component of EVT’s worldview is axiology, or the theory’s values. EVT’s axiology is more concerned with nonverbal effectiveness rather than moral participation about nonverbal behavior. The reason behind this is EVT does not have a value structure that is involved with politics, religion, or economic subjects. EVT primary focus, or value, is its effectiveness for interpersonal communication. A huge strength of EVT is that it holds social relevance and emancipation, or liberation from oppression (Griffin, 2015). EVT’s primarily concerns are to successfully communicate information, ideas, and meaning to others (Griffin, 2015). Secondary to those concerns is expanding perspectives and encouraging independent thinking. EVT values structure and a uniformed systematic model.
To summarize, Judee Burgoon sees the world as a system of cause and effect. Her view is overall extremely scientific and objective. She considers knowledge to be gained by experience and experimentation. According to Burgoon, there are universal truths that are independent of other factors and replicated situations cannot produce different results if given the same conditions. As a theorists, Burgoon is not concerned with values within her research but rather the effectiveness of her theory.
Theory Analysis According to Griffin, there are six scientific standards that determine the “goodness” or value of objective communication theories. These six standards are prediction of future events, explanation of data, relative simplicity, testable hypotheses, practical utility and quantitative research (Griffin, 2015). The following section will explain whether or not EVT successfully passes each of the six scientific standards. EVT theoretical weakness is apparent when tested against the criteria of the first scientific standard, prediction of future events. Throughout the history of EVT’s development, testing of the theory’s application proved to produce mixed results with no clear definitive result (Griffin, 2015). An argument is inductively weak if it’s premises lack enough evidence to make the conclusion highly probable (Gustason, 1994). EVT has not produced consistent enough results to be deemed inductively strong or the first standard, prediction of future events. As we know from previous experiments used to apply EVT, the mixed results proved a low degree of evidential support and confirmed varying degrees of probability. For a communication theory to successfully pass the standard prediction of future events, it must yield steady results. Since probability is measured by degrees and is not dyadic by nature (Gustason, 1994), it is directly reliant on evidence to support its premise. EVT places the predict of future events more on the environment factors rather than the individual's cognition. On the contrary, EVT does successfully predict that a specific type of communication produces a specific response, however the theory falls short in terms of predicting what exactly that specific response is.
EVT successfully passes the second scientific standard of a good objective theory, explanation of data because it explains the dynamic of interpersonal human behavior and expectancy violations. DVT clearly describes the process of expectancy violation within interpersonal communication and explains why certain circumstances cause certain results.
Does EVT have a good explanation for why it happens?
How well does it explain behavior?
Does it make sense of the situation> how
What are the internal processes or environmental factors?
Additionally, EVT successfully passes the third scientific standard of a good objective theory, relative simplicity by being no more complex than it needs to be. It follows the rule of parsimony by providing a simple explanation for why we behave certain ways when our expectations are violated. EVT is well structured and offers a straightforward model for interpersonal communication. EVT delivers without unnecessary baggage, it is an example of quality over quantity. How is it simple? Examples...
EVT successfully passes the fourth scientific standard of a good objective theory, hypotheses that can be tested by meeting the requirement for falsifiability.
In other words, “it can be tested and disproved if it is indeed wrong”(Griffin, 2015). EVT is clearly stated
EVT successfully passes the fifth scientific standard of a good objective theory, practical utility by being relevant information for our everyday lives. As Burgoon stated, “communication expectancies are an important part of intercultural understanding and are defined as cultural guidelines for anticipating behavior” (Gregory, 2013).
Lastly, EVT successfully passes the sixth scientific standard of a good objective theory, quantitative research through experimentation.
Past criticism of EVT in regards to the standards. One criticism of Burgoon’s EVT is that this theory relies heavily on empirical evidence and experimentation. This can be problematic since research can have holes in it such as not having a large or diverse enough sample
size.