Download Running head: GENDER AND COMMUNICATION

Running head: GENDER AND COMMUNICATION
Gender and Communication
Daryl Collins
University of Kentucky
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GENDER AND COMMUNICATION
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Abstract
When looking at how people communicate one of the most important things to take
into consider is gender. A person’s gender affects the way that they react to situations and the
reactions that he or she expects in return. Research has show that in all forms of communication
that gender roles shape how we interpreted what the other persons says or types to us. That is
why it is important to realize who you are talking to and make sure that you are using the
appropriate tones and nonverbal clues. In all forms of communications, it is possible for
misunderstanding to occur so it is vital that we try our best to minimize these mistakes.
Keywords: Gender, Communication, face-to-face
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Gender and Communication
We speaker to each other every day, but do you ever think about how the words we use
and the attitudes that we posses are different depending on if we are a man or women. This is a
simple thought, but it takes a lot to understand. It is something important to understand because
the way that we communicate determines how we view thing and how we get people to respond.
Most men and women communicate differently towards one another because how they were
raised, how they think, and because of the way that their outlooks on the world are different.
Both men and women, use language to build and maintain social relationships (Adler, 2012 p.
184). However, the is only part of the issue because the way that we use words also shapes how
we are viewed by others and how they understand what we are trying to get across. One of the
most important things to understand in communication is that what we say is also influenced by
our attitudes and how we say it.
Literature Review
There are many articles written on how men and women communicate differently.
One of the first article reviewed for this essay stated that men are more likely to involve a greater
amount of joking and good-natured teasing in their conversation (Adler, 2012 p. 185). By
contrast, women’s discussions tend to involve feelings, relationships, and personal problems
(Adler, 2012 p. 185) since communication differs from man to woman, studies and field
experiences have shown that the common contrast is that men think logically, whereas women
act based on their emotions. This difference means that each gender will use key phrases and
attitudes to shape what they are saying and based on these clues to the audience will expect
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specific responses. If a woman is talking with about an emotional topic she may want
comforting or someone to congratulate her. One the other hand, a man talking about the same
topic might use a joke to avoid discussing his emotions or to look like he is bragging about
something. In this research analysis, we will discuss the ways in which men and women
communicate differently and how when interacting with each other, miscommunication can
occur. In order to successfully examine these differences, we will look at interpersonal
relationships and how men and women interact. Therefore, the primary question we have to
consider is what interpersonal methods prove that men and women differ in their communication
with one another?
According to Adler and Procter (2012), interpersonal communication is usually face to
face between two individuals (p. 446). However, this review will analyze other contributors to
interpersonal communication. For example, when face to face with another individual, people
commonly communicate their emotions through their body language. A great deal of information
about how a person feels can be observed through their body language, or the way in which
people position themselves. Face to face interaction and body language (nonverbal
communication) are connected under the common forms of communication. However, another
contribution that seems to take a large factor in the way people communicate is through different
mediums of technology. While the best form of communication is face to face, communication is
largely moving toward the way in which people communicate through technology. These three
elements of interpersonal communication will prove the way in which men and women differ in
their communication with each other.
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Face to Face
One interpersonal method that contributes to how men and women communicate is
through their face to face interaction with one another. Face to Face interaction is arguably the
best form of communication between two individuals. However, studies have shown that men
and women communicate differently even when face to face. During arguments women tend to
ask many questions to get their point across while men are straight forward and direct
(Sherwood). This is important to understand because of the difficult in communicating during
stressful time. A man may see a woman asking the same question over and over as trying to
prove he is lying; while when a man is very direct it is likely to make the woman feel that she is
being attacked and is being mistreated. This is one of the primary ways in which men and
women are different in face to face communication. However, if each of them were able to
understand where the other was coming from it would make communication between them less
stress and cut down on misunderstandings and misdirected anger.
Technology and Communication
Another interpersonal method that greatly influences communication in relationships is
their use of technology. Phones have become a large part of North American culture and more
specifically how partners in a relationship communicate with one another. According to most
males on the University of Kentucky football team, men prefer to text in conversations, whereas
women prefer to talk on the phone. (University of Kentucky Teammate Interview 2013) Women
use longer text messages to convey how they are feeling, whereas men usually respond with
shorter text messages because they are more direct in their approach. This could also result from
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what studies have shown about women being more detailed-oriented. For example, if a man and
women were having a conversation about what happened at the movies, men are more likely to
say “the movie was good or bad?” Whereas women would provide details into why they felt the
movie was good or bad. This is a perfect example of how men and women communicate
differently.
Women use emails for relationships apologizing, being supportive, encouraging while
men portray themselves as experts and use profanity (Sherwood).
Body Language
A third factor is female and male body language. Women use eye to eye contact when
talking. They also try to orient their body to the person they are talking to. (Sherwood). Men do
not give any eye contact to the person they are talking to. Men also have a relaxed body position
and do not face the person they are talking to. Body language is a strong indicator of nonverbal
communication that reveals how women and men choose to interact with each other. Another
factor to consider is the man’s interest in the conversation. If a man is not facing the person that
he is in conversation with, it could mean that he is less interested in the conversation or who he is
talking to. Men and women also use eye contact with each other. Men and women can both wink
their eye to let one or another know that he or she is interested in you. This is a perfect example
of how men and women communicate using different body languages.
Limitations
The main limitations of this study were that it did not take into consideration ethnic
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backgrounds such as how black women and white women are different because of their
backgrounds. Furthermore, it did not look at how education or financial status can make a
difference in how people speak and the way that they react to specific situations and activities.
Future Research
In the future the best way to improve on this topic is to look at the race and education
status of people. The question this would ask would be: Does race, education or both affect how
we communicate with members of our own sex and members of the opposite sex?
Conclusion
One interpersonal method that contributes to how men and women communicate is
through their face to face interaction with one another. Another interpersonal method that greatly
influences communication in relationships is their use of technology. A third factor is female and
male body language. What interpersonal methods prove that men and women differ in their
communication with one another?
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References
Adler, R.B. & Proctor, R.F. (2012) Looking Out Looking In. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cenage
Learning.
Dunn, J., Bretherton, I., & Munn, P. (1987). Conversations about feeling states between mothers
and their young children. Developmental Psychology, 23, 132–139.
Sherwood, S. (n.d.). 10 ways men and women communicate differently. Retrieved from
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-ways-men-womencomminucate-differently.htm
Tenenbaum, H. R., Ford, S., & Alkhedairy, B. (2011). Telling stories: Gender differences in
peers' emotion talk and communication style. British Journal Of Developmental
Psychology, 29(4), 707-721. doi:10.1348/2044-835X.002003
Tossman, L.T., Kaplan, A., & Assor, A. (2007). Academic goal orientations, multiple goal
profiles, and friendship intimacy among early adolescents. Contemporary Educational
Psychology, 32 (2), 231-252.