Women's Communication with Intimates and Acquaintances

Abstract

This study rated the communication behaviours, verbal and non-verbal, of women who discussed topics of low intimacy with a same-sex other (either an intimate friend or an acquaintance) and with an opposite-sex other (either an intimate friend or an acquaintance). Results indicated that there were interactions of gender of target person with degree of acquaintance. In discussions with both same-and opposite-sex acquaintances, the female participants seemed to take responsibility for keeping the conversation going; however, their verbal behaviours differed depending upon the gender of the target person. Opposite-sex interactions produced more questions from the women while same-sex interactions produced more subtle verbal behaviours such as active listening responses. Opposite-sex intimates were responded to more warmly and openly than were same-sex intimates, probably due in part to the greater closeness reported with the opposite-sex intimate than with the same-sex intimate. Results were discussed in terms of sex-role appropriateness of behaviours as well as the apparent complexity of communication behaviours.