Expectations Violations Theory

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Expectancy Violations Theory COM-110 24 February 2012 Expectancy Violations Theory The Expectancy Violation Theory, based on the research of Judee Burgoon, holds that we as humans expect specific people to act a certain way in appropriate situations. The non-verbal communication we receive from others plays a very important role in determining more about that person. Americans in general are very territorial and have boundaries for each type of communication. According to Burgoon, personal space is an invisible volume of space surrounding each individual, which marks how physically close they will allow others to come. Based off proxemics, the study of a persons use of space, Edward hall created the American proxemic zones. There are four proxemic zones. The first one is the intimate zone, ranging between zero and eighteen inches. We typically reserve this zone for our intimate partners. Behaviors that are typical at this zone are kissing, hugging, whispering, and dancing. Secondly, the personal distance zone is where Americans prefer to keep our family and friends. Hall defines personal distance as eighteen inches to four feet away. In this proxemic zone we tend to hold conversations with the people we know, and also people we encounter throughout the day such as a waitress, which is more uncomfortable compared to a friend. In the intimate and personal distance facial expressions and body language is easily recognizable. The next proxemic zone is where we attempt to keep our co-workers and other acquaintances. This zone is referred to as the social distance, which is defined as between four and twelve feet away. Almost all casual conversations take place in the social distance. An example of communications in the social distance would take place at a fast-food restaurant. The cashier must welcome all customers within seven seconds, while being

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