Nonverbal immediacy in classroom – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B and D are correct, while C is the only wrong statement. A is correct because appropriate eye contact communicates attention and engagement. B is correct since moving closer, when culturally appropriate, can reduce psychological distance between teacher and students. D is correct because a genuine smile tends to make students feel welcomed and more willing to participate. C is wrong because turning away and avoiding eye contact usually create distance and detachment rather than enhancing closeness or immediacy.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it labels A and C as wrong, even though A accurately identifies eye contact as an immediacy behaviour. While C is wrong, pairing it with A misclassifies a correct non-verbal strategy. Therefore this combination cannot be accepted as the set of wrong statements.

Option B:
Option B groups C and D as wrong, but D correctly notes that a genuine smile contributes to a friendly climate. Treating D as wrong contradicts research on teacher immediacy and rapport. As a result, C and D only is not a valid answer.

Option C:
Option C treats A, C and D as wrong, but A and D both describe positive immediacy behaviours that support engagement. Combining them with C in a wrong set makes this option overinclusive and inconsistent with communication theory. Hence it cannot be chosen.

Option D:
Option D isolates C only as wrong and leaves A, B and D as correct behaviours, matching accepted views on non-verbal immediacy. It correctly recognises that avoiding eye contact and turning away typically increase distance rather than closeness. For these reasons, C only is the correct answer.