Expectancy violation theory on social media and relationships: A selective review

In this article, we reviewed the applications of expectancy violation theory (EVT) in the scholarship of Computer-mediated communication. In particular, we sought to answer two questions: 1) To what extent are the tenets and predictions of the EVT relevant to interpersonal communication on SNS?; 2) What are the originalities of communication valences and those impacts on social evaluation and communication behaviors in the SNS context? We first introduced the basic theoretical framework of EVT. Then we synthesized the major findings of EVT in the domain of SNS, including: 1) social norms and expectancy violations on social media; 2) effects of expectancy violation on mediated communication. Moreover, we demonstrated three major originalities of expectancy violation in the SNS context: 1) norm evolutions; 2) more complex reactions; 3) SNS-specific expectations and violations. Finally, beyond the scope of existing research, we provided three suggestions for further studies in this area: 1) increasing research generalizability, 2) focusing on the dynamic processes of online-offline interactions; 3) probing for cross-cultural and intercultural applications of EVT.