ABSTRACT
Laypersons and analysts sometimes invoke gender as an explanatory variable that, it is presumed, shapes or even determines some feature of interaction. In its simplest formulation, this variable shows up in studies devoted to identifying differences in how women and men talk, move, listen, and so on. Underlying such studies is an assumption that particular features of speech or interaction reflect and constitute gender differences. For example, there are claims that women use more tag questions, disclaimers, and hedges; and that men interrupt women more than women do men. Tannen (1990) claimed that women give more audible and visible feedback when listening than men do. Wood (1996) summarized research findings indicating a tendency for women to do more “conversational maintenance” work, including behaviors to signal interest and involvement (p. 157). The differences then are found in particular features but also in clusters of these features adding up to activities, such as maintenance, affiliation, or support.
