Difference Model

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Difference Model - Deborah Tannen

The difference model is concerned with the idea that men and women are simply inherently different. Deborah Tannen first proposed the model, defining six clear continuums of difference between the genders:

Advice vs understanding

Men would rather find a solution than just understand.

Orders vs proposals

Men use more imperatives and women use ameliorated requests (using nicer language like ‘would you take the bins out?’)

Status vs support

Male conversations are characterised by a constant desire to be in control.
Women prefer to be supported.

Information vs feelings

Men tend to give factual information over women giving an emotional overview.

Independence vs intimacy

Men focus more on being independent whereas women prefer the intimacy of a situation.

Conflict vs compromise

Women will often compromise rather than cause a conflict, unlike men.

Difference Model - Deborah Tannen

The difference model is concerned with the idea that men and women are simply inherently different. Deborah Tannen first proposed the model.

Types of speakers

Tannen has looked at speakers in groups and said there are two categories speakers can fall into: high involvement and high considerateness.
- High involvement speakers (men) tend to take a very active role in the conversation, be this by leading the conversation or backchanneling (not giving direct responses, but comments like ‘yep’, ‘uh-huh’ and ‘ok’).
- High considerateness speakers (women) tend to speak more slowly and avoid talking at the same time as someone else.

Types of talking

In addition, Tannen says there are two types of talking – report and rapport talk.
- Men use report talk, which is direct (like reporting on something).
- Women use rapport talk, which is used to create and sustain relationships.

Difference Model - All-Male and All-Female Groups

The difference model is concerned with the idea that men and women are simply inherently different.

Jennifer Coates

Jennifer Coates researched all-male and all-female groups and states that they converse differently, although topics of conversation tend to be similar.
She also states that techniques used by women to maintain conversation aren’t signs of inferiority, but signs of intelligence.

Deborah Jones

Other linguists have looked at what makes up the conversation between all-male and all-female groups.
Deborah Jones has researched gossiping amongst women and calls this ‘house talk’. This ‘house talk’ comes in three parts:
- Scandal – women discuss the behaviour of others (usually women).
- Bitching – expression of anger, not because they want something to change, but just as a relief.
- Chatting – this is an intimate form of gossiping where women mutually self-disclose and nurturing takes place.

Support for Deborah Jones

Deborah Jones' work has been built on by Deborah Cameron. She says that girls bitch because covertly (secretive) dominant behaviour is more acceptable for women.