EFFECTS OF PREINTERACTION EXPECTANCIES ON INTERACTION INVOLVEMENT AND BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES IN INITIAL INTERACTION James M. Honeycutt ABSTRACT: The link between preinteraction expectancies and the structure of in- teraction was examined in initial interaction. Unacquainted dyads were taped hav- ing a five minute interaction in which they talked about anything they desired. A 3 x 2 × 5 between-within subjects design was used to determine the impact of preinteraction expectancies on conversational behaviors reflecting friendliness and affiliation. The first between-factor consisted of three levels of expectancy: friendly, unfriendly, and no-expectancy. The second between-factor was sex composition of the dyads (male, female). The within-factor was time interval which acted as a re- peated measure across a series of five, one-minute interaction periods. Subjects were designated as perceivers (those who were in one of the expectancy condi- tions) or targets (no preinteraction expectancy was induced). Results revealed that unfriendly-expectancy perceivers initiated talk more than friendly and no-expec- tancy perceivers, as weil as talking more during the first minute of interaction, compared to no-expectancy perceivers. In addition, unfriendly-expectancy per- ceivers rated greater effort in compensating for the target's lack of friendliness than did subjects in the other conditions. The results are discussed in terms of an inter- action goals perspective of initial interaction in which there is a preference for smooth, friendly interaction. Offen we enter conversations with expectations about how another will respond. These preinteraction expectancies may reduce uncertainty about the situation. This is what Berger (1979) has termed "theory-driven" uncertainty because an individual has anticipated how another will act be- fore encountering any evidence that either supports or rejects the expec- tancy. On the other hand, "data-driven" uncertainty reduction is where an The author wou[d like to thank Dean Hewes, Richard Street Jr., and William Ickes for their comments on an earlier draft of this paper. Requests for reprints should be seht to James M. Honeycutt, Department of Speech Communication, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3923. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 13(I), Spring 1989 © 1989 Human Sciences Press 25