Download Nonverbal Cues in the Communication of Attraction

Speechless
Attraction:
An Investigation of
Nonverbal Genderlects
Cameron Howser
Department of Theatre & Communication Arts
Linfield College Student Collaborative
Research & Creative Projects Symposium
May 2012
In addition to the initial stages of social attraction, nonverbal
communication plays a vital role in maintaining romantic
relationships. A basic component for keeping a relationship
is the sustained mutual attraction between the two
individuals within that relationship. To accomplish this
one must find ways to keep his or her partner engaged and
interested in maintaining the relationship. The study of the
role of nonverbal cues in sustaining romantic relationships
will contribute to the development of communication
signals that may be used to achieve this goal.
 
 
 
Many fail to recognize nonverbal cues that
convey messages to their communicative
partners.
Nonverbal cues are often unintentionally sent
and received.
Failure to recognize these nonverbal cues can
be detrimental to an individual’s relationships.
 
 
 
 
Provide the basic understanding of nonverbal cues within attraction.
Identify and interpret nonverbal cues within attraction specific to a
particular gender.
Determine the reasoning and influence behind the gender specific
cues.
Majority of the population of people are attracted to another person,
therefore this study examines one the many components within
attraction.
 
 
 
Are there gender specific nonverbal cues that
indicate attraction, if so what are they?
Are there specific cues that men exert more
than women to indicate attraction and vice
versa?
What are the intended goals and reasoning
behind these gender specific cues?
Deborah Tannen’s Genderlect Styles Theory
The examination of a variety of speech or
sociolect that is associated with a particular
gender.
Cooperative (support) vs. Competitive (status)
Rapport vs. Report
Instead on focusing on speech, we focused on
nonverbal cues associated with a particular
gender.
-Rapport- Indicate that women communicate with the intention to build and maintain
relationships with others hoping to link and interweave thoughts with their
communicative partners.
-Report- Suggest that men communicate with the intent to look good, strong,
competitive, or independent to contribute to their power or status. (2) Cooperative vs
Competitive
-Cooperative (support)- Examines the tendency of exerting explicit emotions and
communicating with higher vulnerability usually associated with female
communicators. This indicates that women view both parties within a
communicative act as equals.
-Competitive (status)- Dictates that men communicate by utilizing a dominant presence
and exerting assertive speech control, that determine the direction of the
communicative act.
 Artifacts:
Contemporary romance movies
1.  Two Can Play That Game (2001)
2. He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
3. Play The Game (2009)
4. Valentine’s Day (2010)
 Movies are reflective images of reality. They are hypothetical situations that are
used for entertainment.
Women
Eye:
Face Gaze
Gaze Aversions
Physical/Visual:
Excessive Touching
Forward Lean
Self-Adaptors
Excessive Smiling
Head Tilts
Attentive Listener
Oral/Vocal:
Lowered Voice
Nervous Laughter
Same
Eye:
Consistent Gaze
Staring
Physical/Visual:
Proximity
Isolation
Oral/Vocal:
None
Men
Eye:
Body Gaze
Periodic Gaze
Physical/Visual:
Deep Sighs
Initiate Interactions
Oral/Vocal:
More Talkative
Assertive Speech
*Recorded nonverbal cues presented by each gender concerning
the beginnings of a heterosexual romantic relationship.
*The data was then categorized by gender and behavioral groups.
Males avoided eye contact to maintain power and status in the relationship
(competitive).
Females initiated eye contact more often, which made them more attentive
when the male was speaking (cooperative).
Males often initiated the social interactions with their female counterparts
(rapport).
Females were much more prone to show facial expressions displaying her
vulnerability (report).
Men used an assertive tone when speaking to his counterpart
(competitive).
Women engaged in nervous laughter more than men (report).
Nonverbal cues within both genders communicate two very
different goals.
Women intend to initiate and maintain closeness when
communicating with their partners.
Men communicate with the to establish power and dominance
within the interaction.
Gender roles influence the expression of nonverbal cues within
a specific gender.
Women are expected to be overt and expressive.
Males are to be strong and dominant.
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