immediacy Scale Represents Four Factors: Nonverbal and Verbal Components Predict Student Outcomes

Immediacy communicates psychological availability and warmth. In the classroom, instructor immediacy is traditionally measured with ratings of nonverbal and verbal behaviors. Although nonverbal immediacy has been accepted as a legitimate measure of immediacy, the validity of verbal items has been questioned. In the present study, we examined face and construct validity of the verbal immediacy scale. Based on factor analysis and prediction of student outcomes, we concluded that both verbal and nonverbal items offer valid measures of immediacy. However, we recommend a new iteration of the immediacy scale, omitting some items and focusing on those most strongly related to immediacy.