The following statements describe the level of involvement, warmth, and closeness (immediacy) that some people attempt to achieve when communicating with others.
Please indicate in the space at the left of each item the degree to which you believe the statement applies to you in a given conversation with a stranger. Please use the following five-point scale: 1 = never; 2 = rarely; 3 = occasionally; 4 = often; and 5 = very often.
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1. I use my hands and arms to gesture while talking to people. |
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2. I touch others on the shoulder or arm while talking to them. |
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3. I use an excited voice while talking to people. |
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4. I look at or toward others while talking to them. |
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5. I don’t move away from others when they touch me while we are talking. |
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6. I have a relaxed body position when I talk to people. |
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7. I smile while talking to people. |
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8. I make eye contact while talking to people. |
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9. My facial expressions show others I care about the conversation. |
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10. I sit close to people while talking with them. |
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11. My voice is warm when I talk to people. |
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12. I use a variety of vocal expressions when I talk to people. |
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13. I lean slightly toward people when I talk with them. |
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14. I am animated when I talk to people. |
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15. I express myself through facial expressions when I talk with people. |
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16. I move closer to people when I talk to them. |
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17. I turn my body toward others during conversations. |
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18. I nod in response to others’ assertions. |
Your score: out of 90
You don’t communicate immediacy behaviors very often. Consider increasing your nonverbal immediacy behaviors to help you manage impressions and initiate more satisfying relationships.
You communicate immediacy in many situations. Your nonverbal expressions of interest and warmth are likely to make new people in your life more comfortable, too.
You communicate a high level of immediacy in your nonverbal behavior. Be careful not to exceed others’, particularly strangers’, comfort levels, however (that is, watch out for people who shrink back, look away, or have negative facial expressions, as you may be getting too close or touching too much).
Source: Adapted from V. P. Richmond, J. C. McCroskey, and A. D. Johnson, A. D. (2003).