Nonverbal Immediacies: The Benefits of Nonverbal Immediacy Behaviors to Intimate Relationships

The purpose of this study is to determine if couples that are in longer relationships express nonverbal immediacy behaviors just as often as couples that are in shorter relationships do. Evidence of prior research regarding communication in romantic relationships discusses topics such as types of nonverbal immediacy behaviors, their effect on a relationship, and why they are detrimental in order for a relationship to blossom. A survey was given to test the hypothesis that couples who have been in a relationship longer are less likely to practice nonverbal immediacies to maintain a relationship compared to couples who have not been together as long. Respondents were divided into two categories, long-term and short-term relationships, and asked about the frequency of their usage of nonverbal immediacy behaviors with their partners. The major finding from this study was that couples in longer relationships do not express nonverbal immediacy behaviors as often as couples in shorter relationships do.