Gender Theories

Gender Theories

1. Dominance-Zimmerman and West

   • Mixed sex converstaions
     • Men are more likely to interupt
   • Method
     • Uni of California
       • White MC 20-35
         • Converstaions recorded
         • Equal men/women
   • Results
     • 31 converstaion segments
       • in 11
         • men interrupted 46x
         • women 2x
   • Conclusion
     • Men are more dominating
   • Criticisms
     • Interruptions don't always reflect dominance
     • Interruptions may arise from other sources

2. Deficit Model-Robin Lakoff

   • Wrote Language and a Womans Place
   • Male language
     • More
       • Prestigious
       • Desireable
       • Stronger
   • Women are socialised into behaving ladylike
     • Keeps them in their place
       • Precludes being powerful
   • Women's Speech Features
     • Speak less frequentaly
     • Use minimal responses to show listening;'mmm'
     • Higher pitch but speak quietly
     • Tag Questions
     • More words for colours
   • Criticisms
     • Oversimplifies science/attitudes
     • Should take ideology,culture into account

3. Difference Model-Deborah Tannen

   • Genderlect
     • Believes neither men'women are superior/inferior
   • Support vs status
     • Men
       • Conversation comepitive
     • Women
       • Gain support for ideas
   • Independence v Intimacy
     • Women
       • Can't periceve intimacy
     • Men
       • Focus on independence
   • Advice v understanding
     • Men
       • Complaint is a challenge to find a solution.
   • Criticisms
     • Vaguely stem from stereotypes

4. Diversity-Deborah Cameron

   • Differences are due to social expectations for genders
     • Verbal hygiene
       • How we use language to impose order on society
   • Language/communication matter more to women
   • Women are more verbally skilled
   • Women discuss feelings/ men discuss facts
   • Criticisms
     • No statistic to back female brain