Cognitive valence theory (CVT) is a theoretical framework that describes and explains the process of intimacy exchange within a dyad relationship.
[3] CVT employs six factors or schemata to explain verbal and non-verbal intimacy behaviors, interpersonal perceptions, physiological arousal, social cognition and relational outcomes within a specified relationship.
Nonverbal communications are transmitted through messaging that utilizes haptic communications (touching, hugs, kisses and caressing someone); body language (physical appearance, posture, gestures and eye contact); oculesics (or eye behavior, including pupil dilation); kinesics (facial expressions and receptive contact from others); and chronemics (time spent with someone else or waiting for someone).
[3] As the example stated above, initial contact of noticing another person in the grocery store or gas station may not be returned, through an acknowledgement of the initiator's smile or gesture or the gesture of acknowledgement may purport a stare, frown or other look suggesting “leave me alone” or “not interested.” Intimacy or immediacy may be detrimental to a relationship if that immediacy is negatively accepted by the receiver.
[13] Initial contact within an impending dyad relationship may be as simple as noticing another person in a grocery store or gas station.
[14] Culture is the total expression of one's behavior patterns, arts, values, goals, and practices of a population or community.
Just as humans differ in their size, weight and emotional attributes, human personalities differ in their degree of sociability, their likes and dislikes, the level of tolerance towards shyness and openness and their adherence to proxemics or the distance displaced from one person towards another.
An argument with your boss or a disrespectful employee may lower your internal coping adaptability, and negative valence emerges.
A good day at the office, congratulations on the successful completion a special project or a home cooked meal may amplify positive valence and increase immediacy or intimacy.
Within relationships (interpersonal relationships), we label our dyad partners as acquaintances, friends, colleagues, professional coworkers, personal friends, family members, fellow college students and college professors and, those people whose paths cross with ours simply as convenient contacts.
[3] Each dyad partner, whether initial or long-term may display a level of intimacy or immediacy based on a degree of appropriateness for the situation.
In contrast, a look or an accepted touch may heighten the degree of positive valence and be the most desirable behavior for each of the dyad partners.
[3] Andersen's cognitive valence theory points out (under relational outcome) how violations of any of the six schemata will affect a dyad relationship.
Andersen's cognitive valence theory also points that (under relational outcome) how positive valenced intimacy can show (1) positive cognitive and affective appraisals of one's partner; (2) reciprocity or an increase in intimacy behaviors, and (3) increase in relational growth and closeness.
[24] Expectancy violations theory (EVT) focuses on people's reactions to unexpected human behavior.
[25] EVT requires determining whether one interactant's behavior change qualifies as a positive or negative violation.
[11] Cognitive valence theory seeks to describe and explain the process of intimacy exchange within a dyad relationship.
CVT accomplishes this process through the employment of six schemata: culture, personality, interpersonal valence, situation, state, and the relationship.