| Abstract: | Attempted to define interpersonal warmth in behavioral terms by determining the association between global ratings of warmth and objective measures of specific behavioral cues. 18 male and 18 female undergraduates made ratings of the interpersonal warmth of 16 other students from videotaped interviews. These ratings were then related to measures of the interviewees' (a) frequency of verbal expression of positive feelings toward self, others, and surroundings; (b) speech rate; and (c) frequency of smiling and of head and body movement. A multiple correlation of .89 indicated that the 7 behavioral cues accounted for 79% of the variance of the warmth ratings. Those cues most closely related to warmth ratings were (a) frequency of smiling, the single best predictor; and (b) number of positive statements about other people. A factor analysis identified 2 factors, the 1st an evaluative one of positive response to others and the 2nd an activity level factor. Warmth is tentatively defined as positive response to others, actively conveyed. (41 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
