Genderlect
by Deborah Tannen

Research Report by Brad Dyer



Tannen, D.(1986). That's not what I meant!, New York: Ballantine Books.


Introduction

For my research report I read chapter 6 titled "Power and Solidarity". This site gives a summary, interpretation, and my evaluation of the effectiveness and usefulness of the information provided throughout the chapter. I encourage you to take the time to read the following information as well as information provided from the title page.

Summary

This chapter begins focusing on two terms associated with genderlect, power and solidarity. The makeup of power can be described as controlling others, social status, and independence. Solidarity is described as the drive to be friendly and to create a rapport with individuals. During the article power and solidarity are broken into several main sections. These sections are 1) What's in a First Name 2) Denying Power3) Winning Friends to Influence People: Selling 4) Power and Solidarity at Home 5) Juggling Act.


What's In a Name?

This section focuses on the differences between women and men when it comes to using names. Forms of address are among the most common ways of showing status and affection. Age, gender, and status all play roles when individuals address each other. Women are far more often called by their first names and touched than are men. Women often perceive comments such as "honey" or "hun" as a sign of masculine superiority over women. However these comments are often an attempt to form solidarity.

Denying Power:

This section demonstrates how using either solidarity or power can be a double-edged sword. Denying power happens when an authority figure declines to be recognized as an authoritarian and attempts to be seen as an equal. One example used from the article is when a doctor allows nurses or patients to address them by their first name as opposed to doctor. This may increase solidarity but at a price that may result in loss of a necessary power in a time of crisis. This shows how solidarity undercuts power and can backfire on the individual using solidarity.

Winning Friends to Influence People: Selling

This section demonstrates how salespeople often use solidarity to persuade individuals into buying a product. As in denying power using this form of solidarity can backfire on the salesperson. Many people feel that solidarity is inappropriate and often people sense that salespeople are posing as a friend in order to influence you. Salespeople often from answering questions to making a sale.

Power and Solidarity at Home:

This section demonstrates how solidarity can easily be interpreted as an attempt to gain power, thus results in conflicts at home. To emphasize this there is a brief dialogue, which shows a couple attempting to be understanding and caring. There, actions however, are interpreted as an attempt to gain power. In this situation due to the inability to communicate effectively both sides keep their feelings inside until eventually reaching a boiling point.

Juggling Act:

This final section of the chapter states how in all of our communication, we struggle to maintain our independence, to resist being controlled by others, without jeopardizing our involvement or losing their love. As the title suggests it is a constant juggling act to reach and agreement between power and solidarity. Just as a juggler may drop an object, it individuals may unevenly balance the relationship of power and solidarity. This signifies that if you do become unbalanced just keep trying until you improve.

Interpretation


The main theme from this chapter is how we use forms of power and solidarity when communicating with others. We have learned that during communication a sender or receiver can easily mistake the actual intention of the message. This relates closely to Genderlect where more often than not men and women often mistake solidarity for power and vise versa. This chapter encourages communicators to pay attention to their methods of communicating to prevent miscommunication and even resentment by others.

Evaluation

This chapter provides a descriptive evaluation of conflicts that arise between power and solidarity. Real life scenarios provide interest to the theory and increase critical thinking among readers. The chapter is well organized and allows readers to follow the ideas throughout the chapter. Ideas expressed demonstrate a clear usefulness in real life situations. These concepts can prove to be useful in the home, business, and even shopping.

For more information of Genderlect return to Sara's title page.

Visit a with Deborah Tannen.

Visit a research report on Muted Group Theory which describes women as being on the low end of the totem pole when communicating to today's society. This is closely related to genderlect in that it focuses on differences between men and women in communication.

This page was last revised by Brad Dyer
(http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~bd597397/genderlect.htm) on 11/19/99