Violation Imprint

       The violation imprint refers to the number of violated expectancies (Devins, 1994; Lipman-Bluman, 1973). The number of expectancies violated is critical because each additional violation amplifies the unpredictability of the world. When multiple violations occur, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When a goal expectancy violation might also impair a person’s ability to reach a goal, or even many goals, disruption is highly likely. Simply, the person must be made to feel vulnerable and threatened by the violation. Just as a small chip in someone's windshield can stay small or end up spreading across someone's windshield, a violation can impact only one goal or it can impact multiple goals; the integrity of the windshield could stay in place, or it can come completely undone.