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GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERSONALITY

Gender Difference in Communication Style:

Although women are stereotypically thought to be talkative, it is the men who are more talkative and likely to interrupt others (Key, 1975).

Self disclosure

Females are more likely to indulge in self disclosure. They are more likely to “self-disclose” and share their inner ideas and feelings (Cozby, 1973). Men and women consistently differ both in degree of disclosure, and what they actually reveal (Shafer, Pegalis, and Bazzini, 1996). As compared to men, women generally disclose more, especially about emotions, relationships, and other personal matters (Cozby, 1972; Davidson, and Duberman, 1982). Men, especially highly masculine men, disclose more in one context, they disclose more with women with who they anticipate future interaction. In disclosing more to women in such a context these men, seem to want to take the lead in exploring possibilities for a future romantic relationship with the women (Schaffer, Pegalis, and Bazzini, 1996). According to Henley, men disclose only to women with whom they are intimate, or wish to become intimate. Self disclosure is also influenced by gender-role stereotypes. People, both men and women, if insecure and socially anxious, are likely to disclose themselves in away that is consistent with gender-role stereotypes; in doing so they may reinforce and perpetuate those stereotypes (Snell, 1989).

Gender differences in communication

Gender differences are found in non-verbal as well as verbal communication styles (Mc. Millan et al., 1977; Feingold, 1994). The nature of the content of speech used by women is different from that used by men. Women use a more speech pattern. But the way women talk, leads others to evaluate them as less assertive and tentative. Women have tendency to add tags at the end of an opinion instead of a straight opinion statement. They tend to raise the pitch at the end of a sentence. When they add tags at the end of an opinion, women appear to be less certain about the statement they are making. As a result of their use of tentative language, women are viewed as less competent and knowledgeable; this opinion is not made in case of those using as assertive style of speech (Martin, 1987; Carli, 1990; Crawford, 1995). Women, although stereotypically considered talkative, talk less than men. Men are more talkative in a variety of settings. As compared to women, men are more likely to interrupt others (Key, 1975).According to Davidson and Duberman in a study of communication between pairs of best friends (1982), there are no differences between men and women in terms of talking about topical issue like politics, current events, movies, or work. However they differ in their discussion of relational and personal topics. Women are more likely to make specific talk about:

• Personal aspects of their life, and
• their relationship with the friend Men and women are not different, and are similar, in reciprocity in self-disclosure; if the intimacy of the disclosure is increased by one person, the other person will be likely to respond similarly (Cozby, 1973).

Gender, affiliation and friendship

Some gender differences have been found in affiliation and friendship patterns. Robert Hays and Diana Oxley (1986) report that first-year university resident students’ social networks were different in some respects; As compared to women, men included more females in their social network. The exchange of informational and emotional support with friends was higher in females. In terms of interactions with family members, males and females were alike, but within their networks, females interacted more. The friendship pattern also varies with gender. Verbal communication is an important element in female friendships; female friendships depend more on verbal exchange. In case of male friendships, these evolve from shared activities (Hays, 1985). Some studies have revealed that in interpersonal communication, males use less touching than females.

Gender and altruism

Altruism is “a special form of helping behavior that is voluntary, costly, and motivated by a desire to improve another person’s welfare, rather than by the anticipation of reward” (Deaux, Dane, and Wrightsman, 1993). It is the “helping behavior that is beneficial to others but clearly requires self-sacrifice” (Feldman, 2002). As far as willingness to indulge into altruistic behavior or self-sacrifice, for others’ welfare is concerned, more females than males report this willingness. However, there is no clear cut empirical evidence to suggest if there are any differences in the actual performance of altruistic behavior (Rushton et al., 1986; Sennecker, and Hendrick, 1983). Women are more likely to provide help and emotional support in connection with their traditional role as nurturers (Brody, 1990; Eagly, and Crowley, 1986; Pleck, 1985). However in situations involving dangerous emergencies, men are more likely to intervene. In a study reported by Huston and others (1981), all people in their sample, who intervene to stop criminals, were men. As part of their traditional role, males are expected to behave heroically in dangerous situations. Men and woman both may consider the consequences of their behaviors in risky situations, but their perceptions and patterns may be different. Men may perceive the costs of intervening in risky situations to be lower than women do, since men are physically stronger and more likely to have relevant skills such as self-defense training (Huston et al., 1981).

Gender self confidence and self esteem

When asked to perform a task, especially a new one, females hesitate more than men. If woman are given a task particularly the one usually associated with a male role, women tend to be less self confidence than men; whereas actually they may perform the same way as men did (Beyer, 1990; Lenney, 1977). Although the gender difference in self-esteem may not be huge, men generally score higher than women; a number of factors contribute to this difference. Women’s perception of their sense of interdependence and connection with others largely influences their self-esteem. Men’s self-esteem on the other hand has roots in their assessment of their unique characteristics and abilities, traits that help them distinguish themselves form other people (Feingold, 1994; King et al., 1999). Some studies have reported gender differences in terms of how people make positive assessments of their abilities, and their potential for future success. Women generally evaluate themselves more harshly than men. In one survey first-year college students were asked to rate themselves as being above or below average. More men than women rated themselves as above average. They felt they were above average in overall academic and mathematical ability, competitiveness, an emotional health (Gabriel, Critelli, and Ee, 1994; Orenstein, 2001).