Do Men and Women Communicate Differently - Research Paper Example

Do Men and Women Communicate Differently? It is a fact that men and women are biologically different. Men are stronger and muscular in their appearances and characteristics whereas women are arguably weaker in physical and mental aspects. Because of these biological differences, some people believe that both men and women communicate differently whereas others are of the view that there are not many differences in the communication methods of men and women. This paper analyses whether there exist any differences in the communication process between men and women. Arguments in favour of similar communication styles among males and females According to Garette et al (1997), “content analysis of 531 complaint conversation showed no significant differences in the communication content spoken to the customer service representatives”(Garette et al p.116). Both males and females use almost similar languages when they approach customer service representatives with complaints. However, it is a fact that men may use more aggressive languages than females if the services received from the customer service representatives are unsatisfactory. For example, suppose a mobile phone is developing same problem again and again after multiple instances of servicing. If the customer happens to be a male, he may use rash words while communicating with the customer service representative. On the other hand if the customer happens to be a female, the customer service representative may not hear such rash words. This is because of the differences in abilities of the males and females in managing a problem. Men tend to be more authoritative or dominating than women while dealing with problems and therefore their languages could be different from that of the women. The gender differences are diminishing from the current world rapidly and therefore the communication styles of the males and females are also becoming similar in nature. Male domination was more visible in the past and it is getting decreased at present because of the huge social changes taking place across the world. Because of these social changes, men and women are enjoying almost equal status in civilized societies and therefore their communication styles are also getting similar in nature. Arguments in favour of different communication styles among males and females According to a study conducted by Hall and Roter, “patients spoke more to female physicians than to male physicians, disclosed more biomedical and psychosocial information, and made more positive statements to female physicians. Patients also were rated as more assertive toward female physicians and tended to interrupt them more”(Hall and Roter). It is an accepted fact that females like socialising more than males. Because of that patients may feel more comfort while communicating with female doctors than male doctors. Females have the ability to listen even the silly complaints made by the patients whereas it is not necessary that a male doctor may take such complaints seriously. For example, some patients are afraid of injections because of their concerns about pain associated with injections. Such patients may request female doctors to avoid injections whereas they will never register such a request to the male doctors. This is because of their belief that females can tolerate even silly complaints whereas males may not do so. Genetically men are more assertive and women are more polite in nature. Men always like to dominate others whereas women always like to establish friendship with others. Because of these differences in interests and attitudes, men and women communication seems to be extremely different. My views about the communication styles of males and females The experiments of Garette et al and Hall & Roter yielded contrasting results. In other words, while Garette et al found not many differences in male and female communication with others, Hall & Roter found many differences in it. In my opinion, the findings of Hall & Roter seem to be more acceptable and logical. “Many psychologists view our bodies and our biological processes as fundamental to all human activities including emotion, perception, communication and mental health” (Slife, p.63). In other words, biological and psychological features can affect the communication styles. Since males and females have different biological and psychological features, their communication styles should be different. It should be noted that majority of the topmost companies in the world have female receptionists in their offices. Only few companies have male receptionists. Moreover, majority of the companies have female secretaries. This is because of the fact that females have better abilities to communicate in a pleasant manner than males. Both males and females respond to a situation in different manners. It is a scientific fact that like poles will repel whereas unlike poles will attract. In the case of human also, the above principle is applicable. In other words, when a male meets a female a kind of attraction develop in between them whereas same thing cannot be said about the meetings of a male and male or female and female. In short, a customer who was predetermined to quarrel with a customer service representative may change his decision if the representative happens to be a beautiful woman whereas he will proceed with his decision if the representative happens to be a male. “Feminine communication style includes personal compassion and use of anecdotal information whereas male communication is dominated by masculine characteristics such as assertiveness and instrumentality” (Slife, p.94). The above point can be made clearer with the help of the following example. Female teachers are dominating in nursery or lower primary levels of education whereas male teachers are dominating in the higher education sector. This is because of the differences in communication abilities of males and females. Nursery or primary students need motherly care in schools and only female teachers can provide that. On the other hand, students in upper classes approach their education more seriously and they need the assistance of male teachers because of the superior abilities of males in communicating in a more assertive manner than females. The differences in the communication channels of boys and girls are more evident if we analyze the activities of girls and boys in social media or social networks. Girls normally more interested in sharing their photos and getting comments from others whereas boys are dominating in uploading adventurous or entertainment videos. Males are more interested in activities whereas females are more interested in talking. In other words, males communicate their messages through actions whereas females mostly communicate their messages through talks and chats. In my opinion, females use nonverbal channels of communication more frequently than males. For example, if a female has some enmity towards another person, her facial expressions may reveal it clearly to others. On the other hand, males have the ability to hide such emotions and others may find difficulties in identifying the inner thoughts or feelings of a male. Communication styles among males and females in multicultural environment The depth or intensity of male and female communication differences can be varied in different cultures. For example, Western society is more advanced than societies in other parts of the world. In other words, females in Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan cannot communicate with others just like the females in America or England. This is because of the cultural differences between Western countries and Muslim countries. In Christian culture, both males and females enjoy almost similar status whereas same thing cannot be said about Islamic societies. It should be noted that women in Saudi Arabia do not have the authority to take independent decisions. So while communicating with others they are taking extreme care. On the other hand, American women don’t face such restrictions in the society and therefore they have the ability to communicate same way as the males do. Application of communication controversies with respect to different literacies Critical literacy According to the principle of critical literacy, discussions with others is important the attainment of literacy. Practice does not have much sense in critical literacy. Males normally go for learning by doing whereas females opt for learning through discussions. In short, communications channels of males and females are different according to the perspectives of critical literacy. Civic literacy Civic literacy means the knowledge and skills needed to interact effectively in a community. The abilities of males and females are different while they interact in a community. Female orators are more comfortable while addressing a meeting of females whereas they may face discomfort if the meeting happens be that of males. On the other hand, male orators may not show such discomfort while addressing a meeting of males or females. This is because of the perception that males have more abilities in interacting effectively in a community than females. Science literacy Science literacy refers to the knowledge, understanding and application of scientific theories while taking decisions and participating in other activities. Compared to females, males found to be more concerned about the scientific theories while taking decisions. For example, males analyze all the dimensions of a problem before taking decisions whereas females may not bother much about scientific theories while taking decisions. That is why majority of the organizations and countries in this world have male leaders at the top level. Values literacy Values literacy refers to the awareness of values while taking decisions. Females found to be more aware of values than males while taking decisions. For example, before filing a divorce petition or taking decision to commit suicide, women might think about the moral or religious principles more frequently than males. In other words, females give more importance to values than males and in their communication activities; the influence of belief in is evident. Conclusions To conclude, men and women communicate differently. This is because of the biological and psychological differences, differences in culture, differences in perception about the importance of values and scientific theories in communication activities etc. Works Cited Garette Dennis E, Meyers Renne A & West Lee. “Sex Differences and Consumer Complaints”. 1997. Web. 24 September 2011. Hall Judith A and Roter Debra L. “Do Patients Talk Differently to Male and Female Physicians?: A Meta-analytic Review”. 2002. Web. 24 September 2011. Slife Brent. “Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Psychological Issues”. 2007. Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin; 15 edition (November 8, 2007) Read More