Genderlect Styles Homepage

Before you look at the research reports, an application, and a critique on this theory, let me briefly explain what Deborah Tannen's Genderlect Styles Theory is all about.

Summary

The Genderlect Styles Theory analyzes the conversational styles of men and women. The theory focuses mainly on one idea- females focus on connection while males focus on status. According to Deborah Tannen, women seek human connection more than anything else, while men are concerned primarily with their status and independence. The theory's connection vs.status idea is backed by the fact that women value rapport talk, while men value report talk. To explain further this idea Genderlect Styles Theory looks at five different aspects of communication.

1. Public Speaking vs. Private Speaking

Women talk more than men in private conversations. However, in the public scene, men speak the most while attempting to gain status.

2. Telling a Story

In most cases, men tell more stories than women-especially jokes. Telling these jokes is a man's way of gaining status because a joke challenges the audience to top what he is saying. Women, on the other hand, usually focus their stories about others. This allows them to maintain a connection with the people they are communicating with.

3. Listening

Women tend to maintain eye contact, nod their head, and react with responses such as "yeah, uh-huh" when they are listening to someone else talk. Men usually avoid these behaviors because it shows they are in agreement and makes them look as if they taking a passive stance.

4. Asking Questions

Men rarely ask questions because it appears as if they are not self-sufficient. Women ask questions simply to establish connection with others.

5. Conflict

Men usually initiate the conflict, while women try to avoid conflict at all costs because it is a threat to connection.

For more on the Genderlect Styles Theory check out these sites!

Anne's Research Report on That's Not What I Meant

A Second Research Report by Adam

An Application by Matt

A Critique by Chrissy on the Genderlect Theory

For more information on theories related to Genderlect Styles check out Cultural Studies , Muted Group Theory , and Spiral of Silence

Griffin, Em. A First Look At Communication Theory. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies,Inc., 1997.

This page was created by Jenny Lyons. Last updated 3/7/99.