Dominance Flashcards
Zimmerman & West- when?
1975
How many times did men and women interrupt?
46 women only 2
Who did women only interrupt?
Other women
Who did men rarely interrupt?
Other men
3 limitations of Zimmerman & West’s study
Only 11 convos (only counted during mixed convos)
Interruptions not necessarily in dominance (could reflect interest)
All participants white, middle-class & approx 20-35 years old
In support of Zimmerman & West: Esther Grief- what was her focus and when did her study take place?
1980 and focused on family interruptions
Esther Grief findings
1) Both parents interrupt their daughters more than they do their sons
2) Fathers interrupt their daughter more than their mother does
Against Zimmerman&West and Grief: Geoffrey Beattie
How many hours of discussion and interruption?
10 hours of tutorial discussions amongst uni students
557 interruptions in total
Geoffrey Beattie findings
Men & women interrupt with equal frequency (men 34.1, women 33.8)
Pamela Fishman- what did she find in 1977?
Why convos between men & women fail: men’s response (or lack of).
According to Pamela Fishman in 1977, what do women do more of and why?
Ask more qs, use more backchannel & do more of the conversational work- ‘shitwork’- due to inferior status& trying to form relationships with men
What did Pamela Fishman find in 1990?
Women ask 3X the amount of questions as men, use supportive minimal responses to demonstrate interest. Topics proposed by women not always taken up but always with men
Why does Pamela Fishman think men are more dominant?
Because they are more successful in conversation
What is a fact that supports Pamela Fishman’s study?
Most of her findings from 52 hours of pre-recorded conversations so eliminated demand characteristics & observer’s paradox
What are 2 limitations of Pamela Fishman’s study?
Sample size (6) All ‘feminist’ / ‘sympathetic to women’s movement’- bias, leaning towards a matriarchal society
