Gender Theories

Gender Theories

1. Deficit Model

   • Robin Lakoff
     • women speak less than men
     • females use mainly intensifiers
       • very
       • so
     • women's language represents inferior status
     • female language is weak compared to men's
     • they use hedges,fillers & tag questions
   • O'Barr & Atkins
     • 'Female' language is found in powerless people

2. Dominance Model

   • Zimmerman & West
     • Recorded conversations between men & women
       • 96% of interuptions were by men
       • Men are dominant in same-sex conversations

3. Difference Model

   • Tannen
     • men want status
     • Women form bonds
     • Males give direct orders
     • Men aim to solve problems
     • Women offer support not solutions
     • Women give polite orders