Differences in Gender Communication

Introduction This paper attempts to review for the reader a selection of literature that study and analyze the differences that exist between men and women and the manner in which they communicate. Not only do these pieces of literature fall into different categories and specialties, they also deliver varied opinions and results as to what causes the differences discussed. By becoming familiar with the many aspects of gender communication differences, the responsible worker or manager can synthesize those findings into a methodology that enhances work place communication. The literature available on gender communication differences, when analyzed, display themes of discussion. They are listed below in order of importance, followed by the different trends that fall under each theme:
• Theme: Verbal Differences
• Observable Behaviors
• Mixed-Gender Supervisors and Subordinates
• Mixed-Gender Coworkers
• Mixed-Gender Interview Sessions
• Theme: Non-Verbal Differences
• Body Language
• Sexual Harassment
• Theme: Stereotypes
• Development and Perpetuation
• Awareness and Avoidance
• Theme: Counter-Effects
• Theme: Computer-Mediated Communication
• Theme: Implications for Libraries The following pages will analyze these themes and their trends in more detail.

Verbal Differences
Investigations into the differences between men and women and the ways in which they communicate span many areas of inquiry, including psychology, sociology, and business literature. The primary focus of all these fields is on the verbal differences between genders. As most articles point out, both genders use the same language...where then does the difference in use come about?
The most basic studies of gender communication differences, such as those by Rosner, Cangemi, and Chambers, list several findings they claim to be strictly observable behaviors. For example, Rosner states that men speak to convey facts, not details, and utilize language as a means