Table of Contents
The reason for this study is to identify the differences between women and men interpersonal communication. It is known that women pay more attention to detail then men do. The misunderstandings result from differences in the ways that genders show affection. It is more common for women to show affection through communication, but it’s more common for men to show affection by doing things.
Understanding the differences is the important fact to working the misunderstandings’ out. Men and women misunderstand each other, and often think that other’s motives are mean, and unfair. Genders not knowing that women and men sometimes hear and view things through different lenses. We can overcome this huge issue by sharing each other’s distortions that we have experienced, and finally getting clarity.
Key words: Communication, Gender, Interpersonal, Relationships and Workplace.
When it comes to communicating, women and men might seem like they have difficulty understanding one another. For men, communication is all about the importance of how much you know, who you know, figures and facts. For women, communication is a way of better understanding an individual on another level. While trying to connect further, women also strive to develop a solid relationship with the other person.
Communication is considered to be learned behavior which develops through a combination of nurture and nature, environmental conditions and genetics (Samp, 1998). Gender communication in early childhood brings upon differences (McQuillen, 2003). Children are taught by their parents on how to talk, as well as other individual the child may be around; frequently imitating their gender. That’s why women are more understanding then men, because they pay more attention to detail. (Boiarsky, 1995).
Difference Between Gender
Although, these gender differs in ways of talking. This difference is seen in an early age of three. That’s when kids develop language (McQuillen, 2003). Little girls talk to be adored; while boys often talk to brag. Little girls ask nicely; little boys don’t ask, they take. The communication differences are seen during small group interactions, same sex and opposite sex conversations. Between women and men gender style neither is considered best, but some differences from childhood to adulthood need to be understood and adapted. Men, women, professional settings, and people in general need to open their eyes and be more aware of differences in gender communication. This can improve differences in men and women in all aspects of life.
After all, Men and women express themselves for different reasons and for different ways. Men use communication to maintain independence, while women talk to maintain affection. Men often talk to establish status from others. Women use words to connect themselves to express feelings. Men often share figures and facts. Women talk more in public while men talk more in private. Nevertheless, body language is also used differently by women and men. While women typically use nonverbal communication directly, men use it indirectly. Women stand close to each other, and keeps eye contact (Gallois, 1993). Men hold their distance, and sometimes make eye contact (Gallois, 1993). Women and men also handle conflict differently.
While women avoid conflict to defuse a situation, men use conflict to see what they can gain. These were just a few of the common differences in women and men communication. Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace Though, gender communication differences affect every women and man in all circumstances. It doesn’t matter if you are from North America, South America, Europe or Asia, religious or nonreligious, men and women have unique ways of expressing their thoughts and feelings. At home and at work, in friendships and in relationships, these differences are hard to understand.
The workplace strives to be an equally leveled place where everyone can communicate freely and openly with the intent to be as productive as possible. Men and women should get along at work. There is the fact that men and women have very different communication styles at work (Gallois, 1993). Yet, some people feels that the hormone in men cause this phenomenon (Samp, 1998). Men experience a tremendous release of testosterone when they exceed (Gallois, 1993). Making men boast and rudely brag. Women on the other hand, are ecstatic to be congratulated and as part of a team (Samp, 1998). Women are likely to talk to women when they have an issue or need to make a decision.
Men don’t see the point in sharing their feelings, men keep their problems to themselves (Boiarsky, 1995). After all, the impact between women and men differences is experienced in conversations, meetings, interviews, business plans, and counseling sessions. At meetings, men move their heads to agree (Samp, 1998). Women use nonverbals to show the person they are listening and paying attention to what they are discussing. Recently, the workplace has been filled with women in a greatly large number, of course bringing in different communication styles than men (McQuillen, 2003). Different conversational styles between genders has been said to have conflict between the two (Samp, 1998).
Interpersonal Communication in Relationships
In addition, men and women have differences in relationships as well. Genders have differences that can be emotional and physically. The main problem in most relationships is ladies don’t know exactly what the man wants (McQuillen, 2003). Being that men don’t like expressing how they feel in a relationship, this cause confusion for that female. The relationship interest for a woman is simple. It’s the relationship itself. Women are naturally drawn to the idea of marriage! Women see it as the purpose of a relationship. An ideal relationship for a woman is one where she feels connected in all aspects to her significant other (McQuillen, 2003).
An ideal man is one who understand her fully. Uniquely, the ideal relationship for a man is when he can feel like the man. Men don’t have the same urge for understanding as ladies do. Men like to feel respected, appreciated and acknowledged. Men typically enjoy the role of being providers. So, for men the ideal woman is one who can accept the man needs. There is nothing more appealing or sexier to him than a woman who happily appreciates everything the man has to offer. While men don’t always know what women need men love to give. Most relationship problems come from basic communication failures.
This happens at times when women try to express how she feel in the wrong way (Samp, 1998). After all, the key to a successful relationship is communicating. Expressing your needs in a way that the other person can hear it, feel it and embrace it. Blaming or attacking, the man will make him completely shut down. Approach him from a place of appreciation and compassion, this will cause him to start to listen to exactly what you’re saying. Giving him time, he will try to make you happy by doing do whatever he can to ensure couples happiness. With healthy communication things can flourish, when we start to embrace the gender differences and start seeing each other’s sides more clearly (Samp, 1998).
Understanding How to Resolve Interpersonal Gender Communication
However, genders can learn a lot from each other, if only men and women communication blocks were broken. These barriers disappear with effort, understanding and time. Time is the most important key necessary to evaluate personal communicative style. When observing different conversational styles, understanding is needed. Improving interaction between women and mean takes effort to make those adjustments. Gender communication promotes individual growth and corporate harmony, adaptation is needed although life is busy, and styles are comfortable these investments are worth it life. Finally, changing the way we communicate is difficult. It’s hard to change no matter the task.
This is something men and women need, to overcome those conflicts in the workplace, relationships and in interpersonal communication as well. Women are more understandable then men. Allowing them to take on this challenge to better understand how men communicate. It is going to take some practice to get there, think of this as a great place to start. Several studies have been done, we found that if we pay more attention to all communication signs and signals, we can catch the 20percent of people who are, and being misunderstood. (Boiarsky, 1995).