An inductive analysis of verbal immediacy: Alternative conceptualization of relational verbal approach/avoidance strategies

This research explored whether verbal immediacy is an autonomous and distinct linguistic verbal code that people use to approach and avoid relationship formation, or part of a much larger repertoire of verbal relational strategies that are situated in everyday conversation. Two studies yielded verbal strategies rather than a verbally immediate linguistic code people employ to approach or avoid relation‐ship formation. The data suggest that when people want a relationship to develop, they engage in approach verbal strategies. However, when they want to keep a relationship from forming, instead of using avoidance strategies, they decrease their level of approach strategies. An argument is presented as to why these verbal approach and avoidance strategies do not comprise verbal immediacy and instead comprise a measure of relational approach and avoidance.

Key concepts:

• Verbal immediacy
• approach/avoidance verbal strategies
• nonverbal immediacy
• linguistic code