Emma Lundgren

Reel Paper
Comm 2050
June 20, 2023
Knives Out and Expectancy Violation theory
Introduction
The movie Knives Out has many instances of interpersonal conflict in which the Expectancy
Violation theory and its components are key in each relationship and conflict. This paper will
summarize the movie Knives Out, summarize the Expectancy Violation theory, define the theory
and pertinent terms, analyze the communication and conflicts within the movie in respect to the
theory, and make recommendations on how communication could have gone better with respect
to the Expectancy Violation theory.
Movie Summary
Knives Out takes place in Massachusetts in the present day. It is based around the Thrombey
family who has gathered at their father and grandfather, Harlan Thrombey’s, mansion to
celebrate his 85th birthday. Harlan was a mystery author, who was found dead the next morning.
In this movie the detectives investigate whether it was a murder or a suicide. It also highlights
the issues within the family that could have been motive for a murder (Johnson, 2019). Many of
these conflicts include issues within the Expectancy Violation theory.
Expectancy Violation Theory Summary
The Expectancy Violation Theory was first introduced in the late 1970s as the nonverbal
expectancy violation theory. Later the nonverbal was dropped because the author of the theory,
Judee Burgoon, determined that the theory examines things beyond the scope of the nonverbal
domain. Expectancy Violation theory says that people as a whole hold expectations of others in
nonverbal communication and it also identifies the way in which it is influential on others (West
& Turner, 2021).
Definition of Theory and Pertinent terms
“Expectancy Violations Theory is concerned primarily with the structure of nonverbal messages.
It asserts that when communicative norms are violated, the violation may be perceived either
favorably or unfavorably, depending on the perception the receiver has of the violator. Violating
another’s expectations may be used strategically rather than conforming to another expectations
(West & Turner, 2021).” Expectancies, or expectations, according to a communication standpoint
are a set of predicted conduct coming from social norms (Bennett & Tikkanen, 2019).
There are a couple key components to this theory, the first being expectations. Expectations
change based on many factors, relationship, gender, culture, and setting. These same factors
influence the next key component, communicator reward valence (Burgoon, 2015). Which is
“the sum of the positive and negative characteristics of a person and the potential for them to
carry out rewards or punishments (West & Turner, 2021).”
The Expectancy Violations Theory states that people “score” each other if you will with a host of
characteristics to determine how much they enjoy interacting with each other. These scores
create a scale, if you will about how rewarding it is to speak to that person and how likely you
are to do it again. Whether the initiator of the interaction is rewarding or isn’t rewarding often
determines the second person’s reaction when expectations are met or unmet. These expectations
often have to do with distance at which a person is standing. There are four areas that are
defined:
1) The Intimate Zone, often saved for whispering, to touch, and to observe someone’s facial
expressions
2) The Personal Zone, often reserved for friends and family.
3) The Social Zone, often reserved for parties and coworkers.
4) The Public Zone, often reserved for class and other formal discussions. Celebrities also
often use this zone. Facial expressions are harder to read in this zone (West & Turner,
2021).
Expectancy violations are those unmet expectations. Expectancy confirmations are the met
expectations. Violations of the expectations of the too close proximity is the threat threshold,
the point at which instills a sense of discomfort or fear. The bigger the violation strays from the
cultural norm the bigger the effect on the target (Burgoon, 2015). The violation valence refers to
the believed positive or negative affect of a violation or unexpected behavior (West & Turner,
2021).
Movie communication and conflict analysis
In Knives Out Harlan’s will was changed 2 weeks before he died. The inheritance was no longer
given to his family because of many conflicts Harlan had with his family, many of which could
also apply to this theory of communication. The inheritance instead went to Harlan’s home health
nurse, Marta, who became his friend and confidant. Marta was a legal immigrant; her mom was
not. The news coverage of this incident had made them nervous.
The day after this discovery Walt, Harlan’s son, confronted Marta while she was trying to sneak
out the back because Harlan’s family had been harassing her for the inheritance. She was
surprised by Walt who had found the back way out of Marta and her family’s apartment.
Marta: “Walt?”
Walt: “Yeah, I came, uh… Hey, how you doin’?”
(Walt gets closer creating an expectancy violation.)
Marta: “Walt, I want you to know that I didn’t know about any of this.”
(Walt leans in closer, is now in the intimate zone.)
Walt: “We know you didn’t.”
Marta (interrupting): “This is…”
Walt: “We know you didn’t. Yeah, we all kind of went a little crazy yesterday.”
Marta: “Understandable.”
Walt: “Yeah.”
Marta: “I haven’t even looked at all this, yet.”
(Referring to the mail)
Walt: “It must just be local lawyers and accountants who saw the news and wanna get a jump on
it. Yeah. I’d be careful of all of it.”
Walt: “Marta, is it your intention to renounce the inheritance?”
Marta: (shrugs) “This is what Harlan wanted.”
Walt: “Yeah, but… Harlan put you in a very hard position here. I mean, it was unfair of him. I
mean, you see the kind of press and scrutiny that this kicks up and we know, with your
mother…”
Marta: “My mother?”
Walt: “Yeah.”
Marta: “What did Meg tell you?”
Walt: “Oh, this isn’t about…”
(Walt moves in closer, Marta backs up, further creating an expectancy violation.)
Walt: “You’re missing the point. We don’t wanna attack you with this,” (stomps cane and moves
closer, making Marta back up. Walt crossed the threat threshold.) “but, Marta, if your mother
came into the country illegally, criminally. And you’ve come into this inheritance, with all the
scrutiny that entails, (moves in closer, Marta moves closer to her apartment, Marta is clearly
uncomfortable) I’d be afraid that could come to light. And that’s what we wanna avoid here.
(walks closer, Marta is now cornered in by her door) We can protect you from that happening, or
if it happens.”
Marta: “So you’re saying that even if it came to light, with your family’s resources you could
help me fix it?”
Walt: “Yeah. Yeah, with the right lawyers, you know? Not these local guys, but New York
lawyers, DC lawyers, with enough resources put toward it, yes. Not that that ever even needs to
come up, but, yes.”
Marta: “Okay, good.”
Walt (moving in closer toward her face): “Okay?”
Marta: “Because Harlan gave me all your resources. So that means with my resources, I’ll be
able to fix it. So I guess I will find the right lawyers.”
Walt: “Uh, Marta, that’s…”
(Marta returns inside and closes the door on Walt.)
Walt (through the door): “You better be sure that’s what you want.” (Johnson, 2019)
In this scene Walt very much lost credibility with Marta in regard to the communicator reward
valence. He crossed the threat threshold, and got in her intimate zone, so much so that she had to
close her door in his face. Marta’s communication may not have been in your face until the end
of the scene but it was clear from nonverbal cues that she was quite uncomfortable with the way
he was treating her, by trying to intimidate her.
Recommendations on how this communication could have gone better
I saw a lot of problems in this interaction. The biggest being that Walt was trying to treat Marta
less than and instead having a conversation with her he decided to confront her. He also did not
read or respect her nonverbal cues. I think those would have been the biggest suggestions from
me. Respect would have gone a long way in this case.
Conclusion
I learned a lot about the Expectancy Violations theory through this paper. My favorite concept I
learned about was the communicator reward valence and how it ties into nonverbal
communication.

References

Bennett, L. K., & Tikkanen, S. A. (2019). Teaching expectancy violations theory and self-
disclosure through Social Media Profile Building. Communication Teacher, 34(3), 185–
190. https://doi.org/10.1080/17404622.2019.1662070

Burgoon, J. K. (2015). Expectancy violations theory. The International Encyclopedia of

Interpersonal Communication, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118540190.wbeic102

Lionsgate. (2019). Knives Out [Film].

West, R. L., & Turner, L. H. (2021). Introducing communication theory: Analysis and
application. McGraw-Hill Education.