This study describes differences in the quantity and style of female preschool teachers' dyadic verbal interaction with the girls and boys in their classes. Sixteen hours of the spontaneous speech of 4 female teachers and 38 girls and boys were tape recorded in two classroom situations, then transcribed and analyzed. (Author/CS)

This study examined sex differences in the use of interruptions and simultaneous speech during conversations between parents and preschool children. In our society, children are usually taught not to interrupt a person who is talking, yet many adults themselves interrupt others. In fact, it seems that interruptions can be used acceptably under…

Studied the influence of counselor and client sex on relational communication patterns in counseling within a systems theory framework using audiotaped intake interviews of 36 counselors. Both counselor sex and and client sex were significant factors in participants' perceptions of each other during the intake. (JAC)

Polite statements in conversations between men and women are analyzed as rational strategies designed to save face. Previous research has established that saving face is composed of two needs: the need to be unimpeded in conversation (negative politeness) and the need to be approved of (positive politeness). Face-threatening acts (interruptions,…

Describes a study which investigated whether differences in teacher verbal interactions with students are a function of achievement expectations and sex differences. Ten fourth grade social studies teachers and 120 students were observed using the Brophy-Good dyadic observation system. Results indicated that achievement expectations, but not sex,…

A marital argument over the content of a previous conversation is analyzed using an interactive discourse analysis approach. The analysis focuses on the frequency and use of particular discourse strategies to show how marked use of these strategies may not only typify speakers who share similar "high involvement" conversational styles,…

This study investigated the effects of an older sibling's aid in an object sorting task on the younger sibling's conceptual style. Children aided by siblings used descriptive style less than children who worked alone; children aided by siblings four years older used inferential style more than children aided by siblings two years older. Children…

This study investigates the power of the sex-role social norm in determining dominance: is dominance determined by personality "type" (from Myers-Briggs) or by the sex-role expectation? Thinking (T) and feeling (F) types were paired, including all possible combinations of sex and T-F. Thirty-two dyads, 16 opposite sex and 16 same sex,…

A major problem in the study of marital interaction has been the lack of attention to contextual determinants of differences within couples' behavioral exchanges. To compare spouses' control behaviors in overt and ongoing communication as a function of both conflict and intimacy situational contexts, and to analyze the influence of spouse's role,…

A sample of 43 boys and 43 girls (aged 32 to 63 months) was observed during interactions with a 13-month-old infant in a structured situation in a day care center. Attendance in an area surrounding an empty playpen, and behaviors in that area, were recorded on four preliminary days to adapt children to observers and measure baseline behavior; on…

Examines age differences in social interaction. Subjects range in age from five to 20. Results indicate female groups develop towards adult interpersonal behavior styles earlier than male groups. (Author)

Four studies report on the performance of fifth-grade child dyads and adult dyads on three problem-solving tasks, extending previous research on the structural properties of the communications and on factors influencing the accuracy of the communications. Aspects of performance investigated are: (1) relative participation of dyad members in the…