Gender Differences In Nonverbal Communication
Its easy to identify the most common stereotypical differences in male and female types of nonverbal communication. Everyone is familiar with the characteristics of macho men and delicate women that have developed over the years. There are many jokes, funny plays ,and movies that have been made because of the results that come about when characters attempt to act like the opposite sex. Even though many of us behave as the stereotypical masculine or feminine character, there are many obvious differences in the way men and women look and act.
One of the many reason men and women communicate nonverbally differently, is because their reasons for communicating differ. Men usually communicate to relay information and solve problems. Women usually communicate to express feelings and gain emotional intimacy. Women tend to use nonverbal communication more than men. Women also tend to be better than men at interpreting nonverbal signals, according to the website Body Language Expert. They are also better at reading unintentional nonverbal messages, such as signals of deception. Although men often send nonverbal signals, they typically do so with less …show more content…
subtlety than women. Women are more spontaneously emotionally expressive yet also have less ability in controlling their emotions (Tucker &Riggio, 1988).
There are many ways in which women differ from men when communicating nonverbally. Women tend to make more eye contact during conversation than men. A portion of the reason for this is their tendency to use communication to establish an emotional connection. Furthermore, women are more likely to use eye contact to gauge the sincerity of the other person. Women also relay more on facial expressions to disclose the meaning or intensity of their feelings. Studies show that men prefer to communicate with face-to-face conversations, whereas women, are more comfortable with being side-by-side during conversation. In agreement with their large desire for intimacy, women seem to be more tolerant of close body proximity than men. Men are actually more likely to comprehend close proximity as a sign of an aggressive or confrontational purpose. Because men associate touching with sexual intentions, heterosexual men are less likely to use touch during conversation with other men. On the other hand, women use touching as an expression of friendship or sympathy. Most women are more often mis-judged on their non-verbal communication than men are. Many women nod and say things like “yeah”, “Ah”, or “Oh really?” during a conversation and are assumed that they are paying attention more. This is used to show interest in the conversation even if they don't mean it. On the other hand, men don't usually make those types of noises and are misjudged for not paying attention. Most men who don't make noises may in fact be listening very intently to the conversation.
Women tend to use facial expressions to express their feelings and intentions. When women give out messages, they tend to be more subtle and sophisticated than those messages of men. Men look into the eyes of the person they are talking to, whereas women, look into the eyes of the person they are listening to. Women are more likely to use “warm” gestures and mannerisms than men do. These gestures are less obvious and aren't used as often like, hugging and lowering the eyes in aggressive behaviors. Men tend to use obvious gestures such as talking with their hands than using facial expressions.
Research shows that although men and women are equally capable of being senders and receivers of nonverbal cues, women are more proficient (Miller and Perlman, 2009).
According to Judith Hall, a social psychologist specializing in nonverbal communication, women remember the appearance of others better than men. Her research also indicates women typically have more ability to interpret all nonverbal cues. Because girls tend to be taught to nurture and provide care, this may be related to their gender role. To improve communication between men and women, all business personnel should take care to pay attention to the messages they send by their appearance as a form of nonverbal communication. For example, appropriate business attire conveys a sense of commitment and respect to the job. Save casual clothes for the
weekends.
As people get older, they develop the ability to accurately decode body language, such as postures and gestures. This may be related to a person's motivation. For example, if a man in a powerful position communicates with a woman in a subordinate role, she typically has a greater motive to figure out what he wants than he does. Both men and women can be more persuasive when they appear to be interested in the conversation by leaning in, nodding in agreement or gesturing with a hand to reinforce a negative message. Nervous behavior, such as indirect eye contact and fidgeting, reduces a person's ability to convey confidence and credibility.
One of the many reason men and women communicate nonverbally differently, is because their reasons for communicating differ. Men usually communicate to relay information and solve problems. Women usually communicate to express feelings and gain emotional intimacy. Women tend to use nonverbal communication more than men. Women also tend to be better than men at interpreting nonverbal signals, according to the website Body Language Expert. They are also better at reading unintentional nonverbal messages, such as signals of deception. Although men often send nonverbal signals, they typically do so with less …show more content…
subtlety than women. Women are more spontaneously emotionally expressive yet also have less ability in controlling their emotions (Tucker &Riggio, 1988).
There are many ways in which women differ from men when communicating nonverbally. Women tend to make more eye contact during conversation than men. A portion of the reason for this is their tendency to use communication to establish an emotional connection. Furthermore, women are more likely to use eye contact to gauge the sincerity of the other person. Women also relay more on facial expressions to disclose the meaning or intensity of their feelings. Studies show that men prefer to communicate with face-to-face conversations, whereas women, are more comfortable with being side-by-side during conversation. In agreement with their large desire for intimacy, women seem to be more tolerant of close body proximity than men. Men are actually more likely to comprehend close proximity as a sign of an aggressive or confrontational purpose. Because men associate touching with sexual intentions, heterosexual men are less likely to use touch during conversation with other men. On the other hand, women use touching as an expression of friendship or sympathy. Most women are more often mis-judged on their non-verbal communication than men are. Many women nod and say things like “yeah”, “Ah”, or “Oh really?” during a conversation and are assumed that they are paying attention more. This is used to show interest in the conversation even if they don't mean it. On the other hand, men don't usually make those types of noises and are misjudged for not paying attention. Most men who don't make noises may in fact be listening very intently to the conversation.
Women tend to use facial expressions to express their feelings and intentions. When women give out messages, they tend to be more subtle and sophisticated than those messages of men. Men look into the eyes of the person they are talking to, whereas women, look into the eyes of the person they are listening to. Women are more likely to use “warm” gestures and mannerisms than men do. These gestures are less obvious and aren't used as often like, hugging and lowering the eyes in aggressive behaviors. Men tend to use obvious gestures such as talking with their hands than using facial expressions.
Research shows that although men and women are equally capable of being senders and receivers of nonverbal cues, women are more proficient (Miller and Perlman, 2009).
According to Judith Hall, a social psychologist specializing in nonverbal communication, women remember the appearance of others better than men. Her research also indicates women typically have more ability to interpret all nonverbal cues. Because girls tend to be taught to nurture and provide care, this may be related to their gender role. To improve communication between men and women, all business personnel should take care to pay attention to the messages they send by their appearance as a form of nonverbal communication. For example, appropriate business attire conveys a sense of commitment and respect to the job. Save casual clothes for the
weekends.
As people get older, they develop the ability to accurately decode body language, such as postures and gestures. This may be related to a person's motivation. For example, if a man in a powerful position communicates with a woman in a subordinate role, she typically has a greater motive to figure out what he wants than he does. Both men and women can be more persuasive when they appear to be interested in the conversation by leaning in, nodding in agreement or gesturing with a hand to reinforce a negative message. Nervous behavior, such as indirect eye contact and fidgeting, reduces a person's ability to convey confidence and credibility.