Expectancy Violations Theory
Judee Burgoon
Interpersonal Communication—Interpersonal Messages
Constructivism
Theory Overview (7th Edition)
Abstracts appear in Appendix A of the text
Violating another person's interpersonal expectations can be a superior strategy to conformity. When the meaning of a violation is ambiguous, communicators with a high reward valence can enhance their attractiveness, credibility, and persuasiveness by doing the unexpected. When the violation valence or reward is negative, they should act in a socially appropriate way. (Socio-pyschological tradition)