5- Affection, Immediacy and Social Support

Question 1

Define: Closeness

Answer 1

Physical: sharing spacial proximity and physical contact

Emotional: having a sense of shared experiences, trust, enjoyment, concern and caring

Relational: having strong, enduring and diverse forms of interdependence

Question 2

Define: Communication of closeness

Answer 2

Affectionate:
behaviour that communicates feelings of fondness and positive regard

Immediacy:
behaviour that increases physical and emotional closeness, signals warmth and promotes involvement

Social support:
verbal/non-verbal behaviour produced with the intention of providing assistance to others; communicating concern and caring

Question 3

Define: Principles of Affection Exchange Theory

Answer 3

1. Affection facilitates survival because it develops relationships and provides important resources
2. People who display affection are more likely to be perceived to have good parenting skills; attracting mates
3. People are more likely to be affectionate to people who meet their viability (survival) and fertility (reproduction) needs

Question 4

Define: Expressing affection

Answer 4

Direct verbal:

• “I love you”
• Compliments, praise
• Self-disclosure

Direct non verbal:

• Smiling
• Eye contact
• Laughter
• Tone

Indirect non verbal:

• Signals eg. touching nose
• Emotional support

Question 5

Define: Relational currencies

Answer 5

• Verbal and non-verbal messages that carry meaning about the caring dimension of human relationships
• People value different relational currencies differently and show their love using different ones

Question 6

Example: Relational currencies

x 6

Answer 6

• Food
• Money
• Gifts
• Touch
• Listening
• Time

Question 7

Define: Immediacy Behaviour

Verbal

Answer 7

• AKA positive involvement

- Verbal = active word choice, forms of address, depth of disclosure and relationship indicators (eg. pet names)

Question 8

Example: Immediacy Behaviour

Non-Verbal

Answer 8

Oculesic behaviours:
- Eye contact and pupil dilation

Spatial/proxemic:

• Distance
• Height
• Body angle

Haptics:

• Touch
• Hugs, kisses and face touches

Kinesics:

• Nodding
• Smiling

Vocalic:

• Pitch
• Amplitude
• Vocal warmth

Chronemics:

• Spending time together
• Waiting and being on time

Question 9

Example: Social support

x 5

Answer 9

1. Emotional:
   - Care, concern and empathy
2. Esteem
   - Making people feel valued, admired and capable
3. Informational
   - Giving advice and info that may solve a problem
4. Tangible
   - Providing physical assistance, goods or services
5. Network
   - Directing someone to a person or group who can help them

Question 10

Define: Invisible vs visible support

Answer 10

Invisible:

• Tries that go unnoticed are highly effective in reducing distress
• Especially effective when they validate the distressed person

Visible:
- Ineffective when they imply the recipient is incompetent

Question 11

Define: Person centred messages

Answer 11

1. Highly person centred:
   - Chance to engage with feelings
2. Moderatley person centred:
   - Simple explanation and no room for expansion
3. Low person centred:
   - Denies legitimacy

Question 12

Example: Non-verbal immediacy support behaviours

Answer 12

1. Hugs
2. Close proxemic distancing
3. Facial expression
4. Attentiveness
5. Increased miscellaneous touch
6. Pats
7. Eye contact