Effects of Self-Perceived Nonverbal Immediacy Behaviors on Interpersonal Attraction

Summary

The study was designed to extend a self-perception analysis to nonverbal immediacy behavior. Forty male and 40 female university students were induced to engage in nonverbal behaviors associated with either liking (high immediacy) or disliking (low immediacy) in the presence of either a male or a female confederate (C). It was predicted that those Ss performing high immediacy behaviors in the presence of the C would like that person more than Ss performing low immediacy behaviors. Results supported the prediction and are discussed with reference to Bem's self-perception theory, Mehrabian's dimension of nonverbal immediacy behavior, and theories of emotion.