GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERSONALITY AND

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling and acting Personality dispositions are governed by

stereotypes Oversimplified picture

The present presentation relates to : Communication styles

Verbal communication Words and phrases Content of speech Personal space Body posture Facial expression Decoding ability

Helping and caring Altruism Empathy nurturance Socialization

Communication Styles

Talking patterns The talking patterns of men contain more filing

phrases (un, er, ah etc. ) Boys interrupt girls more in group settings ~

dominance Girls tend to get quieter as they grow up and let

men do the talking Words and phrases

Women are more polite Don’t want to put their feminity into question Men use more slang/ profane language

Content of speech Minor differences in conversation topics

Women talked about friends and relatives; talked about feelings and emotions

Objects, finances, pays, sports, and politics differences related to positive and negative

comments and content were insignificant Personal space

Women tend to have smaller space zones than men Women sit together than men do Women sit face to face; men would like to sit side by

side Depends upon men to men; men to women and vice

versa Each individual monitor their personal space with

respect to the context they are in

Body posture The meaning and information conveyed by

our body and the way we carry it Women tend to have closed postures Men tend to have open postures In same sex gatherings, they tend to be relaxed Eye contact is more common in women Facial expressions are an extension of body

postures ~smile

Helping and caring Altruism Empathy nurturance Socialization

Women are more satisfied with their relationships Women friendships are more intimate Types of activities are important Marriage has differential effect

Parenting and marriage Marriage is more rewarding to men Parenting is a natural phenomena , but

expectations and lifestyles make it women oriented domain

Power Aggression Assertiveness Submissive

Leadership Persuasion

Women tend to use back door channels ~be indirectly influential and Men dominate directly

Women use personal power liking, affection and approval. Men use influence like money, knowledge, and personal strength

Women are trained to be helpless and men are trained to use competence as persuasion means.