Violation of Expectation

"Violation of expectation" is a concept commonly discussed in neuroscience and psychology, referring to how the brain responds to unexpected events. On the Modern Wisdom, Prince Ghuman and Matt Johnson explain this through the lens of surprise. Humans naturally anticipate and predict outcomes, and significant deviations from these predictions result in surprise, known as "violation of expectation" 1.

This concept also plays a crucial role in storytelling and humor, where breaking established patterns or expectations creates surprise and engagement for the audience. The brain's response to these violations can be studied using various stimuli and examining their impacts on attention and perception 1.

Considering these explanations helps us understand why unexpected elements are powerful in capturing attention and evoking emotional responses.