Nonverbal Function

1
Nonverbal Function 4

• Defining and Maintaining Relationships Messages
  of Intimacy

2
NV Cues and Immediacy

• Messages of intimacy or non-intimacy are
  primarily sent via immediacy cues
• Immediacy cues perform 4 functions
• Signal availability and inclusion
• Communicates approach and involvement
• Increases sensory stimulation
• Communicates warmth and positive affect

3
Nature of Immediacy Cues

• Typically sent via multiple channels.
• Typically sent and interpreted as a set of
  redundant, interrelated behaviors.
• Typically spontaneous and mindless expressions.

4
Indicators of Immediacy

• Kinesic cues
• High amount of direct gaze
• Pupil dilation
• Positive reinforcers
• Moderate relaxation of body
• Frequent gesturing
• Body synchrony
• Approachable gait
• Postural openness

5
Indicators of Immediacy

• Vocalic cues
• Louder speech volume
• Faster speech rate
• Greater pitch variety
• Greater vocal fluency
• Use of baby talk
• Use of backchanneling cues
• Vocal synchrony

6
Indicators of Immediacy

• Proxemic cues
• Closer conversational distances
• Direct face and body orientation
• Forward leaning
• Haptic cues
• Positive affect touch
• Increased use of touching

7
Indicators of Immediacy

• Chronemic cues
• High amount of spending time
• Being punctual
• Monochronistic use of time

8
Some Exceptions to the Rules

• Not all gaze is positive
• Avoid a 100 relaxed body
• Closer does not always mean better
• Not all touch is created equal
• Rapid backchanneling is bad

9
What Affects Our Use of Immediacy Cues?

• Relationship stage
• Individual differences
• Physiology cortical arousal levels
• Cultural upbringing
• Conditioned associations w/ immediacy
• Personality traits
• Biological sex
• Situational demands
• Present emotional state

10
Why Do Immediacy Cues Work?

• Direct-effects model
• Cues themselves generate positive feelings within
  people.
• Similar for both friends and strangers.
• Social-meanings model
• These cues are universally understood to be
  positive.
• Everyone interprets these cues similarly.

11
Effects of Immediacy Cues

• Romantic relationships
• Teacher-student relationships
• Superior-Subordinate Relationships
• Doctor-Patient Relationships

12
Application of Immediacy Principle

• Courtship and quasi-courtship
• Immediacy cues are used throughout the process
• Stages of courtship
• Attention-gaining signals
• Courtship readiness cues
• Positioning
• Invitations and sexual arousal
• Resolution (not found in quasi-courtship)

13
Brief Look at Intimacy

• Intimacy is a multifaceted concept
• It can be defined as a set of NV behaviors
• It can be defined as a quality of interactions
• It can be defined as a value or belief
• It can be defined as a type of relationship
• Effect of intimate behaviors on relational
  outcomes.
• Cognitive-valence theory

14
Cognitive-Valence Theory

• Components of the theory
• Behavior
• Perception yes or no?
• Level of arousal low, moderate, or high?
• Cognitive analysis 6 areas play a factor
• Affective evaluation positive or negative?
• Relational response reciprocate or compensate?

15
Areas of Cognitive Analysis

• Cultural appropriateness
• Personal preference
• Interpersonal perception of other
• Relational appropriateness
• Situational appropriateness
• Psychological/affective state