The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 38, No. 2 & Volume 39, No. 1 - 55

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Coders were asked to rank all five variables while observing the videotaped interactions. All five variables were tested for both inter-coder reliability, or the extent to which the two coders agreed, and inter-item reliability, which is how well the items that comprise the variable were related to each other. Table 2 describes the variables, the items that comprised the measures, and the reliabilities for each set of items.

six-item dichotomous scale: inattentive/attentive, distracted/focused, restless/still, bored/ interested, detached/involved, and flustered/ composed. The inter-coder reliability for altercentrism was sufficient (α = .68), and interitem reliability for the six items was acceptable (α = .75). The six items were combined to form a single composite score (M = 5.68, SD =. 41).

Body Relaxation
In terms of bodily relaxation, coders considered how tense/relaxed, closed/open, or rigid/ loose the target was in terms of overall posture. Tense postures were marked by clenching, stiffness, or an erect position. An open versus closed posture was defined by how much space the target took up, how stiff the target was, and whether arms and legs were loose or tense and crossed (Guerrero, 2005). The inter-coder reliability was acceptable (α = .71), and the interitem reliability was high (α = .85). As such, the items were summed to form a single composite score (M = 4.32, SD = .64).

Proxemic Distancing
Coders were instructed to interpret proxemic distancing in terms of how close or far apart the bodies and faces of the targets were (Guerrero, 2005). This dichotomous scale consisted of two items. One involved the distance between the bodies as far/close; the other item involved the distance between the faces as far/close. These two items were combined to comprise a single composite score (M = 4.08, SD = .60). Intercoder reliability was sufficient (α = .70), and inter-item reliability was high (α = .92).

Body Orientation
Body orientation was measured by determining the extent to which the target sat in a faceto-face versus a side-by-side position (Guerrero, 2005). Body orientation comprised two items, faced toward and seated side by side. Intercoder reliability was high (α = .80), and they were sufficiently related (α = .80). These two items were combined to form a single composite score (M = 4.54, SD = 1.05).

Positive Affect
Positive affect was measured by two trends associated with smiling and facial pleasantness. First, coders considered whether the target smiled a little or a lot. Second, they considered the total time smiling rated on a scale of smiles never to smiles always. Facial pleasantness was measured by how much the target displayed positive affect and whether the face appeared neutral, happy, or upset. Inter-coder reliability was good (α = .79), and inter-item reliability was high (α = .97). As such, the remaining items were summed to form a single composite score (M = 4.57, SD = .90).

Altercentrism
Altercentrism was measured in terms of the coders’ global impressions of attentiveness and interest (Guerrero, 2005). This consisted of a

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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 38, No. 2 & Volume 39, No. 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 38, No. 2 & Volume 39, No. 1
