Lauren's Job Interviews: A Case Study for Nonverbal Expectancy Violations Theory

Sample

We are sure that you have experienced a situation where someone has behaved or communicated with you in a way that you did not expect. For example, perhaps you were talking with the owner of a dry-cleaning store about a problem with the cleaning of a garment. This is the first time you have ever spoken with this individual. In addition to carefully touching and examining your shirt or blouse, the owner repeatedly grabs your arm and touches your hand. After a few of these touches, you begin to feel uncomfortable and attempt to minimize these touches by moving away from the proprietor and decreasing your verbal communication with him. You have just experienced a “violation” of expectancies regarding the use of touch among strangers.