Verbal Communication
Topic 13: Verbal Communication
Based on the INSTEAD article, language shapes human expectation about the roles of females and males in society. Kesebir (2017) illustrates that language influences and reflects gender role perceptions. The author demonstrates how individuals use phrases that join two gendered words, such as “her and his.” Individuals generally do not pay caution to the language they use. However, research indicates that the way people use personal pronouns and gendered words expressed their beliefs around men and women. The nature of use also shapes how people view the social world and their place in it, as a man or a woman. People read word order choices as cues, indicating the relevance of those described by the words. Word order also reinforces or convey beliefs about gender. According to Kesebir (2017), the topic of gendered words is essential because language can alter individuals’ viewpoints when people choose their words carefully. For instance, ordering words in one way instead of the other conjures up a certain mental model in the audience’s mind to slightly puncture an existing stereotype or to reinforce it.
Generics that demonstrate masculinity, such as using “his” when the individual in question is not a male, often evoke mental images of males rather than females. The concept applies even when explicit statements accompany the generics to ensure that the reference is understood to include both men and women. Kesebir (2017) notes that mental images have impacts. In several author’s peer studies, women are less likely to pursue jobs described using masculine language when compared to gender-neutral generic. The concept explains the reason feminists insisted on changing the use of an inclusive “his or her” in the 1970 to change from the “his” generic pronoun.
Kesebir (2017) presents a study to show the communicational consequences of the order of genders in a conjoined phrase. Mentioning women before males in a business context study makes participants construct imaginary worlds where women received more attention and were more central. The study demonstrates the order of conjoined words as perceived to indicate relevance. The author shows that the words people use often make a difference in shaping the human expectation about the roles of females and males in society. The use conveys how individuals belong to a specific context.
Topic 14: Nonverbal Communication
The PPU (2017) article discusses gender differences in communication style. One research finding in the article is that non-verbal communication is essential in how people communicate, but every gender communicates using different nonverbal cues. The article explains the gender differences in seven nonverbal communication types. In facial expression, women use more facial expressions than men out of more than 10,000 facial expressions demonstrated by the human face. Women also smile more and relies heavily on eye contact expressions and head nodding (PPU, 2017). Women use more paralanguage and make noises such as “oh” and “ah” than males. Men often use physical space and command than women and often prefer face-to-face communication. Women, on the other hand, are more comfortable speaking while near other females and prefer speaking side by side. In touch, men usually use an introductory handshake to set a communication tone while women build a connection or show support, offering someone a hug or touching their arm. In posture, women are more likely to cross their legs and keep their arms closer to the body, while men often keep their arms apart when standing and arms away from the body (PPU, 2017). Women have more fluid gestures, while men use directed, sharp movements. Men mostly use eye contact in situations that challenge their positions or power, while women use it in most of their communication to develop strong relationships and communications.
The other research finding in PPU (2017) is that adding gender differences to the already complex communication process complicates it more. The article explains that gender communication focuses on understanding and adapting to other people’s communication style rather than changing it. The various tips of overcoming misunderstanding between genders include avoiding falling victim to stereotypes because not every person fits into the generalization about women and men. Individuals should understand that communication between women and men differ, and should not be offended when a person of the opposite sex acts or responds in unexpected way. People should not that they may subconsciously push biases or stereotypes that suppress open communication between individuals of different gender (PPU, 2017). Individuals should also recognize the various styles of strength and leadership in communication. Moreover, they should learn about the various communication styles used by women and men and focus on understanding the context for both. People should not fear recognizing communication differenced and adapting their styles to other persons’.
References
Kesebir, S. (2017, November 9). The role of language in the gender gap. Retrieved from https://knowledge.insead.edu/leadership-organisations/the-role-of-language-in-the-gender-gap-7661
Point Park University. (2017, December 12). Gender differences in communication styles. Retrieved from https://online.pointpark.edu/public-relations-and-advertising/gender-differences-communication-styles/