Expectancy Violations Theory Research Articles

Sorry to ask but … how is apology effectiveness dependent on apology content and gender?

While it is well understood that the content included in an apology matters, what constitutes an effective apology may differ depending on the gender of the person delivering it. In this article, we test competing theoretical perspectives (i.e., role congruity theory and expectancy violation theory [EVT]) about the relative effectiveness of apologies that include language that conforms (or not) with the gender stereotypes ascribed to the apologizer. Results of four studies supported an EVT perspective and showed that apologies were perceived to be relatively more effective when they contradicted gender stereotypes (i.e., communal [agentic] apologies by men [women]). Specifically, Study 1 provided an initial test of the competing hypotheses using celebrity apologies on Twitter. Then, results of three experiments (Studies 2, 3a, and 3b) built upon these initial findings and tested the psychological mechanisms proposed by EVT to explain why counterstereotypical apologies are beneficial (i.e., attributions of interpersonal sensitivity [assertiveness] and enhanced perceptions of benevolence [competence] for men [women]). Our contributions to theory and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mapping Personality Traits and Gender-Based Stereotypes on Perceived Negotiation Skills

Implementing effective dispute resolution strategies such as negotiation has proved to be quite effective whenever there is a divergence of interest between two conflicting groups. This study aims to see if gender-based stereotypes or specific personality traits can positively or negatively influence negotiation skills in an attempt to improve the negotiation process, whereby individuals could be trained to adopt specific behaviors to obtain more favorable negotiation results. Using the expectancy violation theory (EVT) to analyze how individuals respond to unanticipated violations of social norms and expectations whilst negotiating, a quantitative study was carried out among legal officers working in private, public, and parastatal organizations in Mauritius. The sample size, 270, was calculated based on a population size of 899 as per records of the Mauritius Bar Council. The results demonstrate most legal officers were equipped with good negotiation skills, with no significant difference between males and females (U = 1138.50, p > 0.05), while a high level of neuroticism was indicative of poor negotiation skills (τb = −0.167, p > 0.05). These findings demonstrate that participants agreed that their negotiation skills were influenced in gender-dominated meetings which align with the principles of the EVT, the violation of certain expected negotiation behavior based on gender impact negotiation outcomes. Since negotiation skills were significantly associated with negotiation outcomes (χ2(4) = 37.963, p < 0.05), this provides pointers to businesses on how to improve and optimize negotiation outcomes by choosing a negotiator with the most apt personality traits.

Differential Evaluation of Straight and Gay Men for Nonverbal Effeminate Behavior.

The purpose of this study was to determine how violation of gender-based expectancies might influence straight men's attitudes toward men who differ by sexual orientation (i.e., straight or gay). This study was specifically designed to avoid methodological issues that may have been present in similar research. Hypotheses were informed by Expectancy-Violation Theory (EVT) and the Black Sheep Effect (BSE), which together suggest that an effeminate straight man should be evaluated by other straight men more negatively than an effeminate gay man because the former target negatively violated expectations. Additionally, EVT suggests that a masculine gay man should be evaluated more positively than a masculine straight man because the former positively violates expectations, while the BSE instead suggests the latter should be evaluated more positively than the former due to ingroup bias. Self-identified straight men evaluated a male target whose sexual orientation and gender conformity were manipulated through a photo and vignette. A moderated mediation analysis was performed to determine if perceived expectancy violation mediated the relationship between sexual orientation and evaluations for both effeminate and masculine men. Straight effeminate targets were evaluated more negatively than gay effeminate targets; however, straight masculine targets were evaluated more favorably than gay masculine targets, a finding more consistent with the BSE. In addition, perceived expectancy violation did not mediate the relationship between sexual orientation and evaluations regardless of gender expression. More research should be conducted to identify the mechanisms through which evaluations of straight and gay targets differ based on gender expression.

The Mechanism of Newsroom and TV Journalist Work Routines during the COVID-19 Pandemic

A disease outbreak known as COVID-19 (Corona Virus Diseases 2019) is currently affecting virtually every part of the planet. The COVID-19 outbreak is a catastrophe that endangers and disrupts life, causes fatalities, traumatizes victims, and engenders a climate of threat and fear. The COVID-19 pandemic tragedy not only affected the number of sick and deceased individuals but also altered work schedules in the neighborhood. Additionally, COVID-19 has brought about changes in journalism, particularly in television journalism. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the mechanism governing the operational procedures of newsroom and television journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expectancy Violation Theory and Judee K. Burgoon’s Interaction Adaptation Theory were both used in this study. This research approach employed a constructive subjective paradigm and utilized a qualitative case study methodology. The subjects of this study were the journalists and editors of iNews TV and Metro TV. The study’s finding show that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted how journalists work both in the workplace and in the field, causing disruption and changes to their routines. Nevertheless, the pandemic has also prompted an acceleration of the process of adapting how journalistic tasks are carried out, both in the newsroom and on the ground. Despite the acceleration, the COVID-19 epidemic has expedited the process of adaptation and adjustment. Finally, the transformation has resulted in new business strategies in the television industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Creativity, Expectancy Violations, and Impression Formation: Effects of Novelty and Appropriateness in Online Dating Profile Texts

ABSTRACT This experimental study investigates how novelty and appropriateness – the two criteria of creativity – affect impressions formed of online dating profile owners. More specifically, it examines how both criteria influence perceived romantic attractiveness, and whether expectancy violations and person perceptions (i.e., originality and oddness) mediate these effects. Participants (N = 295) were members of a dating platform who were presented with dating profile texts that met one or both criteria: (a) not novel and appropriate, (b) novel and appropriate, or (c) novel and inappropriate. In line with the expectations, results show that novel texts are less expected, and that their writers are perceived as more original and, in turn, as more romantically attractive. Writers of novel and non-novel texts are evaluated as equally attractive though, suggesting that appropriateness is a stronger determinant of romantic attractiveness. That is, novel texts that are inappropriate violate expectations more negatively than those that are appropriate, increasing oddness and, accordingly, decreasing romantic attractiveness. Findings suggest that novelty and appropriateness are two important creativity dimensions that explain effects of dating profile texts on impression formation. Moreover, we show that the expectancy violations theory is a useful framework to study creativity and impression formation in online dating.

Servant versus directive leadership and promotability: does leader gender matter?

Are leaders more promotable when they show servant or directive leadership - and does this hold for women and men alike? Servant leaders are likely seen as more effective, likable, and thus promotable but less prototypical than directive leaders. We argue that differing degrees of communion (i.e., warmth, morality) and agency (i.e., competence, dominance) underlie the relationship of servant and directive leadership with leaders' promotability. Based on expectancy-violation theory, we assume that men benefit more from servant leadership and women benefit more from directive leadership. Servant leadership aligns more with communion and stereotypes about women. In contrast, directive leadership aligns more with agency and stereotypes about men. These differences may result in gender-biased evaluations threatening fairness in leadership promotions. In a pre-study, servant leadership was more expected of women leaders than of men leaders. However, directive leadership was equally expected of women leaders and men leaders. An experimental vignette study (N = 454) revealed that servant leaders were seen as more effective, likable, and promotable than directive leaders, regardless of gender. Perceived leader warmth, morality, and competence were positively, and dominance was negatively, related to leader effectiveness and leader liking, which were positively related to leader promotability. We also investigated whether raters' gender role beliefs influenced the evaluations, which they did not (as reported in the Supplementary material). Concluding, women and men profit equally from exhibiting servant compared to directive leadership.

Indications of Referee Bias in Division I Women’s College Volleyball: Testing Expectancy Violations and Examining Nonverbal Communication

This research examined the ball-handling errors that referees called against historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Division I women’s college volleyball. A ball-handling error is an impermissible nonverbal communicative act such as a ball being lifted, a ball being thrown, or a ball being double hit. Previous research on referee bias was reviewed. Expectancy violations theory served as the theoretical frame because it focuses on nonverbal behaviors and how a message receiver responds to violations. Using publicly available data, this research sought to draw points of comparison between HBCUs and predominantly White institutions. The uncovered data revealed that referees called more ball-handling errors per set against HBCUs relative to predominantly White institutions. Furthermore, only HBCU conferences were penalized at a statistically significant level, while no predominantly White institution conferences were penalized at a statistically significant level. Theoretical implications for expectancy violations theory and practical implications for HBCUs were the focus of the study discussion.

Does religion matter to angels? Exploring the influence of religion in entrepreneurial investor decision-making

Despite the pervasive influence religion has on society, the role of religion in angel investor decision-making remains unknown. This study tests a model of how religion – both as a guiding institutional logic and a personal religious belief – influences angel investor evaluations. Drawing on the similarity attraction paradigm and expectancy violation theory, two scenario-based experiments find religion has a persistent but nuanced influence on investor evaluations. Generally, religious claims are a double-edged sword, either repelling or attracting angel investors. Specifically, faith-driven investors form positive evaluations of the venture but only when these evaluations are mediated by entrepreneur authenticity. By comparison, traditional angel investors form negative evaluations when religious claims are present, except for when angel investor religiosity is high. This suggests that faith-driven and traditional angel investors use different bases for evaluating entrepreneurs and ventures. Overall, our results have important implications for understanding the theological turn to entrepreneurship by finding religion as a double-edge sword, a multilevel influence, and a cognitive mechanism within investor decision-making.

Escape or return? Users’ intermittent discontinuance behavior in strong-ties social functions

Intermittent discontinuance acts as a precursor to user loss and has become a crucial and challenging issue in the operation and management of social media. From the perspective of alternative competition, we integrate the push–pull–mooring framework and expectancy violation theory to explore how contradictory psychology occurs and impacts users’ intermittent discontinuance of strong-ties social functions (STSF). According to results obtained from partial least squares-structural equation modeling, both push (information overload, system feature overload, and usage fatigue) and pull (privacy concerns) factors cause intermittent discontinuance, while mooring factors (sunk costs, transition costs, and transition fatigue) reduce it. Transition fatigue mediates the relationship between transition costs and intermittent discontinuance. From the perspective of competitors, while alternative attractions do not significantly affect users’ intermittent discontinuance, transition costs and fatigue do exert a significant negative impact on it. The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis results reveal that technology overload, usage fatigue, privacy concerns, and sunk costs are core antecedents of high-degree intermittent discontinuance. These results are expected to provide a reference for reducing the intermittent discontinuance of platforms and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of users.

When they support us: Expectations for social support from outgroup members

ABSTRACT Our research examines perceptions of emotional support messages characterized by high verbal person-centeredness (VPC) when sent from an outgroup versus an ingroup member. We conducted two experiments in which White participants (N 1 = 206, N 2 = 166) imagined receiving a high VPC support message from a White (ingroup) or Black (outgroup) peer. Counter to our hypotheses drawn from expectancy violations theory, both studies revealed that participants perceived high VPC from a Black peer as more expected than high VPC from a White peer. In a highly salient intergroup context (Study 1), high VPC from the outgroup predicted greater perceived support effectiveness and support provider liking and trustworthiness. Implications of our findings for intergroup and supportive communication theory are discussed.

No politics in funding pitches: An expectancy violations theory perspective of entrepreneurs' political expressions in crowdfunding

Drawing from expectancy violation theory, we investigate how entrepreneurs' language-based expressions of their political ideology influence the performance of their crowdfunding campaigns. We argue that crowdfunding funders expect campaigns to be apolitical, suggesting that entrepreneurs' expressing their political ideologies – regardless of the specific ideology – create a negative expectancy violation that decreases funding performance. As source credibility is a central boundary condition for expectancy violation theory predictions, we also suggest this relationship is mitigated by three indicators of entrepreneurial credibility: prior successful experience, media usage, and third-party endorsements. Using a sample of 19,898 Kickstarter campaigns and a randomized experiment, we find support for our theoretical predictions.

Emotional expression by artificial intelligence chatbots to improve customer satisfaction: Underlying mechanism and boundary conditions

Artificial intelligence chatbots have invaded the tourism industry owing to their low cost and high efficiency. However, the influence of emotional expressions of chatbots on service outcomes has not received much attention from researchers. Drawing upon expectancy violations theory, we explored how emotional expressions of chatbots affect customer satisfaction using three experiments in the context of tourist attraction recommendations. Chatbots' expressions of concern for customers can improve customer satisfaction by reducing expectancy violations. In particular, customer's goal orientation, the human-likeness of chatbot's avatars, and the relationship type between customers and chatbots can moderate the negative relationship between emotional expression and expectancy violation. These findings advance research on the emotional expressions of chatbots and provide critical insights for deploying chatbots in customer service in the tourism industry.

Expectancy Violations, Message Elaboration, and It Can Wait® Messages

ABSTRACT We apply a test and extension of Expectancy Violations Theory (EVT) to AT&T’s It Can Wait® promotional messages. Though promising, EVT remains underutilized in mass media contexts. We propose that message elaboration mediates the effects of violating audience expectations of message novelty, dramatic impact, and emotional arousal. Findings indicated that emotional arousal and dramatic impact violations had indirect effects on persuasiveness through message elaboration. This study contributes to theory by providing evidence that in mediated contexts violating message expectations can lead to greater persuasion. Implications for incorporating audience expectations into the design of safety messages are discussed.

Filters uncovered: Investigating the impact of AR face filters and self-view on videoconference fatigue and affect

The rise of videoconferencing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a new phenomenon, videoconference fatigue (VF), which refers to the emotional and physical exhaustion felt after videoconference meetings. Features of videoconference platforms, such as the self-view function and small screen size, increases self-awareness and cognitive load, resulting in increased negative affect and VF. However, AR face filters can soften facial expressions to reduce self-awareness and increase positive affect. Drawing from the theory of objective self-awareness, this study thus assesses the influence of AR face filters and self-view on users’ affect and perceived VF, through a 2 × 2 dyadic between-subjects experiment (N = 154). Our findings do not support the theory of objective self-awareness. Using AR face filters led to higher VF, but neither AR face filters nor self-view was significantly associated with affect. An alternative theory such as the expectancy violations theory may explain such results. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Partner Phubbing and Relationship Satisfaction among High and Low Reward Romantic Partners: An Expectancy Violations Theory Perspective

Partner phubbing (phone snubbing) is the perceived extent to which an individual uses or is distracted by his or her cellphone while in the company of his/her relationship partner. The present research examines the impact of partner phubbing on relationship satisfaction through an Expectancy Violations Theory perspective. Across two studies, including a survey of 180 adults currently in a romantic relationship, and an experiment of 141 married adults, results reveal that partner phubbing results in negative expectancy violations, which in turn lower relationship satisfaction. However, support is found for moderated mediation, such that the negative indirect effect of partner phubbing on relationship satisfaction depends on the phubber’s level of partner reward value. When partner reward value is low, expectancy violations from partner phubbing have a strong negative effect on relationship satisfaction, but this effect is attenuated to non-significance when partner reward value is high.

The impact of online tax community advice on individual taxpayer decision making

In this study, we examine the impact of advice shared on an online tax community and taxpayer decision making. Online tax communities are linked to major tax preparation software and provide a way for taxpayers to ask unique questions and receive responses. While online communities are intended to facilitate the transmission of unbiased advice between individual taxpayers, the quality, content, and source of responses can greatly vary. Drawing on the predictions of expectancy violations theory (EVT), we investigate two facets of provided advice: response provider expertise and response language concreteness. Our results indicate that taxpayers report more conservatively (more aggressively) when presented with advice from a deemed tax expert if concrete language (abstract language) is used. Further, we find that taxpayers' perceived usefulness of the response mediates this relationship. Collectively, we contribute to EVT and provide evidence on the recognition and use of online tax community responses.

청년세대의 집단주의 성향과 호감 및 행동 평가의 관계에 미치는 세대의 조절효과

Assuming the stereotypes attached to younger and older generation employees regarding their individualistic and collectivistic traits in organizations, this study draws from expectancy-violation theory to examine how organizational members showing counter-stereotypical behaviors are perceived and reacted to in organizational contexts. In the preliminary study, a questionnaire completed by 277 panelists confirmed the assumed stereotypes that respondents believed the younger generation has stronger individualistic traits (compared to the older generation). In the main study, an experiment was conducted with an additional 280 panelists. Each participant read a scenario describing a younger or older protagonist with individualistic or collectivistic traits and was asked to respond to the questionnaire imagining the protagonist as a co-worker. Our findings showed that the protagonist's collectivistic traits are positively related to respondents' liking of the protagonist, higher expectations of the protagonist's in-role behaviors, and helping behaviors. In addition, these positive effects of collectivistic traits were stronger when the protagonist in the scenario belonged to the younger generation, thus showing counter-stereotypical traits, than in the case of the older generation showing stereotype-confirming traits. These results contribute to the stereotype literature in the field of organizational behavior and provide meaningful implications for managers interacting with others from different social categories.

Co-worker undermining, emotional exhaustion and organisational commitment: the moderating role of servant leadership

PurposeNot much is known about the conditions under which the negative relationship between co-worker undermining and employee outcomes may wax or wane. This study seeks to address this issue by analysing the role of leadership in mitigating the negative impact of co-worker undermining on employee outcomes. Drawing on expectancy violation theory (EVT), the study proposes that servant leadership will alleviate the association between co-worker undermining, emotional exhaustion and consequently organisational commitment.Design/methodology/approachTwo-wave time-lagged data were collected from a sample of 345 nurses working under 33 supervisors in a large public hospital in Malaysia. To account for the nested nature of the data, generalised multilevel structural equation modeling (GSEM) in STATA was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsAfter controlling for transformational leadership, co-worker undermining was indirectly related to organisational commitment via emotional exhaustion, and this indirect relationship was weaker when servant leadership was high.Practical implicationsOrganisations need to invest in interventions that help reduce co-worker undermining and put emphasis on promoting servant leadership.Originality/valueThe study extends the literature by introducing EVT as a new theoretical lens to analyse the consequences of co-worker undermining on employee outcomes. The study also addresses calls for research on the role of leadership in ameliorating the negative consequences of co-worker undermining.

Is Cyberloafing an Outcome of Supervisor Phubbing: Examining the Roles of Workplace Ostracism and Psychological Detachment

Supervisor phubbing (or phone snubbing) is the phenomenon where a supervisor snubs a subordinate by favoring his/her mobile phone above him/her when they are in a meeting. Subordinates who are phone snubbed by supervisors often feel neglected and turn to their own phones and virtual social circles for acceptance. The study aims to explore the impact of Supervisor Phubbing (SP) on Cyberloafing (CL), taking Workplace Ostracism (WO) as a mediator and Psychological Detachment (PD) as a moderator. Social Exchange Theory (SET) and Expectancy Violations Theory (EVT) are put forward as the underpinning theories to explain the underlying mechanism in the proposed relationships. Utilizing the time lagged method, data was collected from 267 employees working in varied industries in India. Statistical tools such as SPSS 21, AMOS 21, and PROCESS, were utilized to test the hypothesised model. The findings show that SP causes subordinates to feel ostracized which in turn, leads to CL. The study also examined how PD can act as a moderator and create an impeding effect on CL, WO, and PD emerged as significant mediator and moderator respectively. It is pertinent for organizations to understand that unfriendly practices such as SP can lead to organizational repercussions like WO and CL. Discussion on implications followed by limitations and future scope of research is included in the paper.

Smiling versus resting B**ch face: patients’ evaluations of male and female healthcare providers’ facial expressions

ABSTRACT Resting b**ch face (RBF) is described as an unintentional angry facial expression that is evaluated negatively and usually attributed to women. A 2 (smiling/RBF) x 2 (female/male provider) online experiment, guided by expectancy violations theory, investigated whether U.S. adults’ perceptions of a healthcare provider, medical care quality, and likelihood to make another appointment would be impacted by the provider’s facial expression and sex. Results indicated that RBF was an expectancy violation resulting in decreased liking and perceptions of care quality. The female provider with RBF was evaluated more negatively than the smiling female provider and the male provider with RBF on liking, caring, medical care quality, and likelihood to make a future appointment. Additional findings are further discussed in the paper. Patients may hold biases toward providers based on their facial expressions and biological sex.