Does ‘The Dude’ Abide?

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 Learning Objective

• Expectations Violation Theory

– Core Components
– Theoretical Assumptions
– Applications
• The Big Lebowski vs. EVT
• Conclusion
• References
 Expectations Violation Theory
• According to Burgoon (1993), the expectations violation theory
(EVT) is a theory that examines how individuals respond to
unanticipated situations.
• More specifically, these unanticipated situations violate social
norms and expectations and thus, many individuals present
different reactions (Burgoon, 1993).
• EVT is a socio-psychological phenomenon where concepts
pertaining to intrapersonal and interpersonal communication are
examined in relation to cognitive dissonance and uncertainty
reduction theory (Burgoon, 1993).
• As such, one is able to visualize communication as an exchange
of behaviors and this acts as a measurable variable.
 Expectations Violation Theory
• As per Bevan (2003), the components of EVT are expectancy,
communicator award valence and violation valence. Bevan (2003)
reported each component as:
– Expectancy pertains to one’s anticipated reaction. For example, an individual
who pulls out a gun in a bank will expect the bank attendees to become
frightened and ‘reach for the sky’.
– Communicator award valence is an examination where one scrutinizes the
person who committed the violation. Again, the bank attendees would begin to
judge and look upon the bank robber with disdain after presenting the firearm.
– Lastly, violation valence describes the consequences of an action that is a
violation of societal norms. It is obvious that the bank robber would receive a
harsh prison sentence in the event of his capture.
 Theoretical Assumptions
• The study of EVT increases one’s understanding of how individuals
react in a given situation.
• Although obtaining this information may not seem necessary; it is
important from a socio-psychological perspective as it elucidates on
an individual’s personal space within a culture (Bevan, 2003).
• For example, traveling to a different country can result in culture
shock if one is not acquainted with their unique cultural
characteristics. In many instances, novel travelers will be subjected
to EVT and are unsure how to act moving forward. Through the
analysis of EVT, researchers can evaluate and make predictions on
an individual’s behavior when presented a particular situation.
• As such, the study of EBT is significant within contemporary society,
especially when one considers that globalization is a continually
occurring phenomenon (Bevan, 2003).
 Applications
• It must be noted that there are both positive and negative violations
of EVT. In fact, positive violations connects to be beneficial to the
individuals experiencing the event.
• For example, Burgoon (1976) suggested that positive violations are
essential to an organizations continued viability as it allows an
individual to present a different viewpoint that may have been
previously considered unacceptable. This provides the organization
with the opportunity to identify novel revenue streams and thus,
increasing market growth.
• Of course, the negative violations have already been presented;
however, the applications of both positive and negative violations
are significant. With that being said, it is essential that one be able to
identify and interpret EVT whenever it arises.
 The Big Lebowski: EVT #1
• The ‘Jesus Scene’ shows Jesus dancing and licking his bowling ball
prior to bowling a strike. Shortly after, The Dude and friends begin to
be little Jesus by calling him a weirdo and a pedophile. The
reactions of all individuals in the scene is largely against how any
‘normal’ member of society would react in a given situation and thus,
is an excellent example of EVT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZR58d77a4A
 The Big Lebowski: EVT #2
• An additional scene that depicts EBT is when The Dude finishes
meeting with the big Lebowski and is escorted off premises. When
passing the pool, the wife of the big Lebowski, Bunny, suggest that
she will perform fellatio on The Dude for a sum of money. Brandt,
more-or-less, acts appropriately in this regard; however, Lebowski
simply shrugged it off in makes a funny comment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pynxRRVBu74
 The Big Lebowski: EVT #3
• The scene where Walter and The Dude spread the ashes of Donnie
is an excellent example of EVT. In the scene, Walter begins a eulogy
about Donnie and how he was a rememberable human being. Soon
after, Walter goes off on a tangent and begin speaking about the
war. When Walter dumps Donnie’s ashes, they immediately go and
are caked on The Dude’s face. The solemn reaction of The Dude is
characteristic of EVT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u44D3qKKGPU
 The Big Lebowski: EVT #4
• One of the greatest scenes in The Big Lebowski is when Walter is
questioning the kid who they believe still The Dude’s car. Although
the kid did steal The Dude’s car, his face remains resolved
throughout the entire interrogation. In fact, when Walter begins
bashing in the kid’s neighbors car, the kid remains undeterred and
this exemplifies the notion of EVT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PztgWdMEJdg
 Conclusions
• EVT elucidates on how individuals respond in unanticipated
situations that violate social norms.
• The three core concepts of EVT are expectancy, communicator
award valence and violation valence.
• The theoretical perspectives of EVT suggest that an understanding
of the cultural nuances associated with EVT can greatly increase
society’s understanding of the world.
• Practically every scene in The Big Lebowski is an excellent
representation of EVT, given that all of the characters respond to
social violations in a manner that is not appropriate with the
violation.
• All-in-all, a fundamental understanding of EVT increases one’s
perspective on socio-psychological issues in modern society.
 References
• Bevan, J. L. (2003). Expectancy violation theory and sexual
resistance in close, cross-sex relationships. Communication
Monographs, 70(1), 68-82.
• Burgoon, J. K., & Jones, S. B. (1976). Toward a theory of
personal space expectations and their violations. Human
Communication Research, 2(2), 131-146.
• Burgoon, J. K. (1993). Interpersonal expectations, expectancy
violations, and emotional communication. Journal of Language
and Social Psychology,12(1-2), 30-48.
• Coen, E., Coen, J., Bridges, J., Goodman, J., Moore, J.,
Buscemi, S., Stormare, P., & Focus Features. (2005). The big
Lebowski. United States: Universal Studios Home Entertainment.