Obviously there are many differences between men and women from biological and psychological differences to name the most obvious. However, there is also a distinct difference in the manner of communication in body language between the two genders. Body language is a subtle yet significant aspect of how humans communicate with one another. To understand the distinctions in these communications styles benefits how successful one is at their ability to interact with the same sex or opposite sex. The following essay will examine the differences that exist in men and women’s use of body language.
The Approach
It is an interesting concept to think that there is even a specific manner in how to approach a male versus a female. Women tend to like being approached directly from front so that they can see who is coming towards them (Van Edwards 2015). When women are approached from behind, it can feel threatening as she is unprepared that someone is entering her space (Van Edwards 2015). In contrast, men do not want to be approached directly from the front nor from the back because they consider it confrontational. Instead, they prefer to be approached from the side in a way that allows them to see who is coming towards them, and that a threat or challenge is not of concern (Van Edwards 2015). This information is useful for anyone who wants to create the most desirable method of approaching any individual, male or female, whether it is at work or in a social setting.
Expression during Communication
The next area that is important to recognize is the expression behind the delivery or reception of messages based on one’s gender. Many of the traits that are found exist as a result of nature or “pre-programming” from what women and men see while growing up (Amos 2015). Most women tend to show more of a caring nurturing style that displays emotion allowing their feelings to be shared when communicating in intimate relationships with friends, family, or a significant other (Amos 2015). Whereas men tend to display a sense of power, dominance, and assertiveness in their communication style (Amos 2015). This difference in body language would look something like this- A woman may have facial expressions that show interest and she many lean into the individual she is communicating with to show she cares. On the other hand, men will remain more stoic and distant in his body language as he interacts with an individual regardless of the nature of the conversation. These differences occur in any environment where communication between the two sexes occurs.
Non-Verbal Immediacy
You many ask, “What is non-verbal immediacy?” It is a system of unspoken communication (body language) that creates a “psychological closeness between people” (Miller 2011). According to Dr. Miller, “Nonverbal immediacy includes behaviors like eye contact, smiling, direct body orientation, close proximity, gesturing, vocal inflections, and physical contact while communicating” (2011 para. 3). Generally speaking, this is an area that women tend to be better at than men. Women are more in tune with reading these ques from the individual they are speaking with and are more likely to use these non-verbal methods of communication compared to men. Some researcher claim that women’s uses of these non-verbal communication styles make them low power communicators (Miller 2011). Men tend to use less non-verbal communication methods deeming them high power communicators (Miller 2011). If this concept is true, then awareness of this judgement or assumption would be helpful in the workplace so that both men and women can work towards equal positions of power when communicating.
Flirting Styles
One of the most common discussions in the differences between males and females regarding non-verbal communication is in the way that each flirts or shows romantic interest. When a man is interested in a partner, he tends to stand taller and suck in his stomach to appear more confident and appealing (Sol 2012). On the other hand, women tend to tilt their head exposing their neck, playing with their hair, and crossing their legs as that emphasis the hips (Sol 2012). When a woman likes a man she will make eye contact with him, look away and then make eye contact again along with a smile to confirm to him that he can approach her (Sol 2012). The information presented about the flirting styles of men and women is helpful to both sexes who are single and on the dating scene. After all, if one is oblivious to this game that men and women play, the likelihood of missing out on a potential love interest is an unfortunate risk to take.
Touch
Interestingly, men and women use touch very differently as an aspect of non-verbal communication as well. An experiment was done to analyze how men and women responded to touch. Two strangers are separated by a barrier in the same room, then one touches the other through the hole in the barrier while the other one tries to understand 1 of 12 possible emotions that are expressed with only a touch of the forearm; after each attempt the individual being touch is asked what emotion they think was being expressed by the other person (Marsh 2010). Initially both genders were accurate in their ability to decipher what message was delivered in the way they were touched; however, compassion, anger, and happiness were understood very differently by males versus females (March 2010). When both individuals were male, a stronger correlation existed in senses anger, meanwhile when both people were female, there was an increased awareness of happiness, and compassion was best detected when at least of the persons involved was female (March 2010).
Advantages and Disadvantages in Gender Styles of Non-Verbal Communication
The last thing to discuss is the advantages and disadvantages that each sex has in the way he or she uses body language to communicate. These factors could be applied to the professional environment, social scene, or romantic dynamic. For men, the advantage in their body language style is that it demands a level of respect and certainty as they present themselves with confidence (Shamlin n.d.). The disadvantage is that approachability is diminished when a man exudes too much confidence and authority. Meanwhile, women have the advantage of being more interested, in tune, and caring in the way they interact with others, but this very trait can also backfire in that it makes women too vulnerable and less powerful in appearance, which is a disadvantage (Shamlin n.d.).
Conclusion
The importance of awareness in the non-verbal communication style that is expressed in body language differs in men and women. By gaining some basic insight into the meaning or manner in which each sex operates in his or her mannerism will be helpful in any environment whether it is in the workplace, social situation, or an intimate relationship. By understanding how each gender responds in the delivery of their message, the likelihood for misinterpretation decreases, which results in better more accurate communication opportunities. Communication is key to success in the various types of relationships there are, and one of the fundamental parts of communication is often expressed without the use of words. Making things more challenging is the fact that men and women have their own innate delivery of body language messages, which is why he information provided could be useful for both sexes in any environment.
Works Cited
Amos, Julie-Ann. "Body Language Differences Between Men and Women." Body
Language Differences Between Men and Women. 23 Aug. 2015. Web. 26 Apr.
2016.<http://www.bodylanguageexpert.co.uk/bodylanguageandmenandwomen.ht
ml>.
Marsh, Jason. "Gender and Touch." Greater Good. 18 Oct. 2010. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
<http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/gender_and_touch>.
Miller, Ann Neville. "Men and Women’s Communication Is Different—Sometimes."
Communications Currents 6.1 (2011). Web. 26 Feb. 2011.
<https://www.natcom.org/CommCurrentsArticle.aspx?id=749>.
Shamlin, Jim. "Chapter 6 - Gender and Body Language." Silent Language of Leaders.
Sol, Mateo. "Body Language: Signs of Attraction | LonerWolf." LonerWolf. 2012. Web.
26 Apr. 2016. <http://lonerwolf.com/body-language-signs-of-attraction/>.
Van Edwards, Vanessa. "7 Body Language Differences of the Sexes." Science of
People. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
<http://www.scienceofpeople.com/2015/02/body-language-differences-sexes/>.
