The Relationship Between Gender, Interruptions and Overlaps in Verbal Interactions

Abstract

In this study, we investigated how gender of participants shape the role they adopt in conversations by focusing on overlaps and interruptions. These verbal actions were analysed in a total of 45 conversations consisting same-gender (15 female-female and 15 male-male) and mixed-gender dyads. Results revealed that interruptions were more frequent than overlaps in female dyads while overlaps were more frequent than interruptions in male dyads. In mixed-gender conversations, overlaps were demonstrated more frequently by females while interruptions were demonstrated more frequently by males. The results were discussed in terms of changes of gender roles.