Gender differences in nonverbal cues
There is a growing body of evidence that suggests men and
women use and interpret nonverbal communication differently.
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Eye contact
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Women usually maintain a gaze longer than do men. However,
women are less likely to stare at someone; the research shows that they
break eye contact more frequently than men. This is not a contradiction;
men are simply less likely to make the eye contact, but when they
do, they may get "locked in" without realizing that eye contact is being
returned.
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Proxemics
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Edward Hall's [The Hidden Dimension (Garden City,
NY: Doubleday & Company, 1966)] spatial zones generally are drawn closer
for women than for men. Women approach more closely, and seem to prefer
side-by-side conversations. The latter may explain differences in use of
space; men prefer more face-to-face conversations, and people are generally
more aware of space to the front than to the side.
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Facial expressions
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Research suggests that women are more skilled at both sending
and interpreting facial expression than are men. It may be more practice;
other research suggests that women use more facial expression in general
and smile more in particular.
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Gesture and posture
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Although women use more facial expression, they appear to
use fewer and more restrained gestures than men.
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Touch
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Men are more likely to initiate touch with others than are
women. Women are touched more than men. Also, women are more likely to
associate touch with personal warmth and expressiveness.
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