The slap heard round the world: Using live televised award-show incidents to teach expectancy violations theory

Abstract

This activity provides students with a way of understanding expectancy violations theory (EVT) by examining incidents that occurred during televised award shows. In this activity, in small groups, students will delve into well-known award-show incidents, such as Will Smith’s slapping of Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards, to understand the events leading up to the incident, what happened at the time of the event, and the repercussions occurring after. Using this information, students will work through the components of EVT to enhance their understanding of the theory and its lens through which to view relationships. This activity allows students to use their familiarity with pop culture to gain a greater understanding of EVT in order to better utilize the theory when examining their own interpersonal relationships.

Courses

Introduction to Mass Media Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Mass Media Theory and Criticism, Organizational Communication.

Objectives

Students will understand the principles of EVT; be able to explain EVTs components (expectancy, communicator reward valance, and violation valence); and be able to apply EVT to examples of interpersonal interactions.