Gender and Interpersonal Communication

Practice flashcards covering concepts of gender development, societal gender norms, interpersonal communication theories, and relational interaction patterns.

What is the difference between sex, gender identity, and gender expression?

Sex refers to biological characteristics; gender identity is one's internal experience of gender; gender expression is the external presentation of gender.

What are gender roles and gender stereotypes?

Gender roles are socially constructed expectations about behaviour and responsibilities. Gender stereotypes are generalized beliefs about characteristics associated with gender.

What is gender socialization?

The process through which individuals learn society's gender-related norms, roles, expectations, and behaviours.

What is learning theory's explanation of gender development?

Gendered behaviours develop through conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment.

How does Bandura's social learning theory explain gender development?

Children learn gendered behaviours by observing and imitating models, as well as through reinforcement and punishment.

How does learning theory differ from social learning theory?

Learning theory emphasizes conditioning and reinforcement; social learning theory additionally emphasizes observation and modelling.

What is cognitive developmental theory of gender?

A theory emphasizing how children's understanding of gender develops alongside cognitive abilities and influences their behaviour.

What is gender schema theory?

Children develop cognitive frameworks about gender that organize information and guide their interpretations and behaviour.

How does gender schema theory differ from social learning theory?

Gender schema theory emphasizes cognitive organization of gender information, while social learning theory emphasizes observation, imitation, and reinforcement.

What is gender-neutral parenting?

A parenting approach that minimizes restrictive gender expectations and encourages children to explore interests without traditional gender limitations.

What is masculine gender role stress theory, and who developed it?

Eisler and Skidmore proposed that men experience stress when they believe they are failing to meet societal expectations of masculinity.

What is gender polarization?

The tendency to exaggerate differences between masculinity and femininity and portray them as opposing categories.

What are heteronormativity, cisnormativity, and mononormativity?

Heteronormativity assumes heterosexuality is the norm; cisnormativity assumes everyone is cisgender; mononormativity assumes romantic relationships should involve only two partners.

What is interpersonal communication?

The process through which individuals exchange and interpret verbal and nonverbal messages within relationships.

What is the difference between verbal and nonverbal communication?

Verbal communication uses spoken or written language; nonverbal communication uses gestures, facial expressions, tone, body language, and other cues.

What is metacommunication?

Communication about communication, including the meanings, expectations, and relationship messages conveyed through an interaction.

What is the difference between message and metamessage?

The message is the surface content of communication; the metamessage conveys underlying relational meanings and attitudes.

What is Deborah Tannen's Genderlect Theory?

Tannen proposed that men and women are socialized into different communication styles, which can create misunderstandings resembling communication across different cultures.

How does Tannen describe traditional differences in men's and women's communication?

Her framework portrays men's communication as more task-, status-, or solution-oriented and women's communication as more connection-, empathy-, and support-oriented.

What is a major criticism of Tannen's Genderlect Theory?

Research does not consistently support strong communication differences based solely on gender; context, individual differences, and socialization also matter.

What is trouble talk in Tannen's framework?

Communication about personal or relationship problems in which one person may seek emotional understanding while another responds with advice or solutions.

What is relational culture theory?

A perspective examining the unique language, shared meanings, and communication patterns couples develop to understand emotional connection and disconnection.

What is active listening?

Attentively receiving, interpreting, and responding to another person's message to demonstrate understanding.

What is self-disclosure, and why is it important?

Self-disclosure involves sharing personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Reciprocal disclosure can strengthen trust, understanding, and emotional closeness.

How does family systems theory explain communication problems?

Communication problems emerge within recurring interaction patterns, meaning each family member's responses influence the behaviour of others.