Gendered Verbal And Nonverbal Communication

Communication can be either verbal or nonverbal. Gendered Verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors differ due to their varying reasons for communication. When dealing with opposite sex, understanding their verbal and nonverbal communication differences is important (Wood and Bodey, 2010). The following essay provides an analysis of gender verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors as observed from individuals in a public space.

First and foremost, gender is both social and personal. As observed in the people setting, what makes sex personal is that each gender has thoughts, feelings, goals, and experiences that reflect and enact the gender identity adopted by different individuals (Jollly, 2000). In the observation, the feminity and masculinity of people evidenced to be socially constructed, reproduced, and changed, an aspect that justifies gender as social. Culture dictates the communication behaviors of individuals in the public domain. Gender, communication, and culture shape communication approach for people while interacting in various occasions.

Verbal and nonverbal communication shapes people’s interactions in the public sector. Effective verbal and nonverbal communication approach enhance a positive attitude that nurtures the interpersonal relationships between people from different personal and social- cultural differences. From the observation made in the public’s approach to communication, verbal helps people clarify information and provide the missing points in a given context (Jollly, 2000). People express their feelings, emotions, verbal interactions, and relate well under the support of nonverval communication tools.

Both are aimed at exchanging ideas, perceptions, points of view, and thoughts. Usually, people use the two approaches while giving suggestions or expressing complaints about an alarming issue that needs to be rectified by the concerned authority with an immediate effect. Further, both involves the sender and receiver of the information (Wood and Bodey, 2010). The communicators express their opinions regarding the actions taken by the receiver, and this creates a long lasting interpersonal relationship.However, the verbal and non-verbal communication cues entirely differ(Wood, 2015). Non-verbal communication uses gestures, facial expressions, body posture, emotional stance, eye contact, and the listener’s proximity. Further, unlike non-verbal communication which consumes a lot of time, verbal communication is time sensitive and offers feedback in the shortest time possible.

There are significant differences in the way men and women communicate through the body language. The following are the main patterns of non-verbal behavior between men and females.

1. The female gender prefers to be approached from the front view and hate people who tend to come behind them and tap their shoulders in the argument of communicating. Contrastingly, men prefer to be approached from the side since this is less aggressive.
2. Men and women nod their heads for different reasons. When a man nods, this expresses agreement to the information passed by the sender. If a lady nods, this shows attentiveness and concentration to what the speaker is saying.

• Women and men use facial expressions differently as women demonstrate high facial expressiveness than men. When a lady smiles, this is a body sign of appeasement. For males, they smile to express warmth and show their interest in the women.

Expectancy violation theory focusses on non-verbal communication. The expectancy violation theory’s assumptions postulate that non-verbal messages and information are valuable in enhancing people’s expectations during conversations. The theory links behavior and people’s cognitions in the cultural and personal space (Davidson & Burke, 2011). In respect to the subject, members in the public sector use this theory to predict the future outcomes based on people’s beliefs, when the estimates fail to get achieved, then a violation occurs. From the observation, the social community, men react positively towards beautiful younger women to win them than how they respond to males.  

Men and ladies exhibit different verbal and nonverbal communication styles. The communication language used by males and females helps the community shape their perceptions to their attitudes and behaviors in the public sector (Jollly, 2000). From the observations, the following are the main differences in verbal and non-verbal communication between females and males. 

There is a direct relationship between verbal and non-verbal communication approaches. To bring order in the public setting, communicators need to use both verbal and non-verbal cues. Non-verbal communication plays a significant role in solving problems, if complemented by the oral approach, information reaches the desired receiver appropriately.

Davidson, M., & Burke, R. (2011). Women in management worldwide: Progress and prospects. Farnham: Gower Publishing, Ltd.

Jollly, S. (2000). Understanding body language: Birdwhistell’s theory of kinetics. Corporate Communication, 5(3), p 133-139. Retrieved from HTTP://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/*********9?accountid=27965

Wood, J. T. (2010). Gendered lives: Communication, gender, and culture. Beverly, MA; Wadsworth.

Wood, J. T. (2015). Gendered live Communication, gender, and culture. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

Wood, J., & Bodey, K. (2010). Gendered lives: Communication, gender, and culture. Beverly, MA: Wadsworth.