Sports Scores and Intimate Moments: An Expectancy Violations Theory Approach to Partner Cell Phone Behaviors in Adult Romantic Relationships

Abstract

This study investigated how 225 adults perceived and responded to expectations of attentiveness and availability via cell phones when with romantic partners. Phone behaviors were generally expected, neutral, and typical but more negative when participants expected partner attention. Behaviors were more unexpected and negative if in public than at home. Phone sharing behaviors were perceived positively. Partner rewardingness was negatively correlated with valence and predicted cell phone satisfaction, as did valence, expectedness, and typicality of cell phone behavior. The most common response to partners’ cell phone usage was to say nothing.