According to Deborah Tannen (2015), the genderlect styles theory of communication suggests that there are differences in the way men and women communicate or miscommunicate. Tannen goes on to state in the book, A First Look at Communication Theory, “male-female conversation is cross-cultural communication” (Griffin et al., 2015, p. 432). Several factors are included within a conversation to help people understand a message. Some of these factors include loudness, softness, pauses, silence, inflection, and nonverbal gestures. People need to think about what they are going to say prior to saying it. This way the receiver is sure to understand the message. The Bible states “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what
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This was also relevant within the before mentioned principle of connection versus status. Men, however, prefer to use conversation to get attention, give information, and insist on agreement (Griffin et al., 2015, p. 432). In telling a story, Tannen (n.d.) says women prefer to tell stories about others to feel part of the community, whereas men tell stories about how they are heroes. Women’s stories downplay themselves and reveal their wants and needs, whereas men try to top others stories to make them sound better. During the listening type talk, Tannen (2015) says men do not want to show submission, so their listening style is to agree with others and interrupt to take over the conversation. Women however, want report and give positive nonverbal to show that they are active listening. This can cause frustration between genders, as the men tend to interrupt women or switch the topic. Men and women also have differences when it comes to asking questions. Women like to ask probing questions to form a connection and get to know people on a more personal level, whereas men hate asking questions because it makes them feel inferior. Tannen (n.d.) states that “public face is far too important for men,” so they do not ask questions. For example, most men do not ask for directions because they fear admission of ignorance. Conflict is yet another gender difference within communication. According to Tannen (2015), men are more comfortable with conflict because life is a contest to them. Men invite conflict to make them feel and look good. Women, on the other hand, do not like conflict because it impedes on their connection with others. All of these factors play a significant role in communication between
This was also relevant within the before mentioned principle of connection versus status. Men, however, prefer to use conversation to get attention, give information, and insist on agreement (Griffin et al., 2015, p. 432). In telling a story, Tannen (n.d.) says women prefer to tell stories about others to feel part of the community, whereas men tell stories about how they are heroes. Women’s stories downplay themselves and reveal their wants and needs, whereas men try to top others stories to make them sound better. During the listening type talk, Tannen (2015) says men do not want to show submission, so their listening style is to agree with others and interrupt to take over the conversation. Women however, want report and give positive nonverbal to show that they are active listening. This can cause frustration between genders, as the men tend to interrupt women or switch the topic. Men and women also have differences when it comes to asking questions. Women like to ask probing questions to form a connection and get to know people on a more personal level, whereas men hate asking questions because it makes them feel inferior. Tannen (n.d.) states that “public face is far too important for men,” so they do not ask questions. For example, most men do not ask for directions because they fear admission of ignorance. Conflict is yet another gender difference within communication. According to Tannen (2015), men are more comfortable with conflict because life is a contest to them. Men invite conflict to make them feel and look good. Women, on the other hand, do not like conflict because it impedes on their connection with others. All of these factors play a significant role in communication between