Immediacy
Immediacy is typically a mindless, spontaneous expression of positive affection for another person that is encoded as a combination of cues. ~ Peter Anderson
Immediacy involves nonverbal intimations of warmth, closeness, and attraction between interactants. Immediacy behaviors signal availability for conversation and indications to include others.
Immediacy is suggested by eye contact, close interpersonal distances, interactional synchrony, touch, smiling, and open body postures, including leaning toward the person. Conversely, avoiding eye contact, facing away, distancing oneself, closed bodily positions, and averting tactile contact demonstrate unavailability.
