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Gender differences in content and style of argument between couples during divorce mediation
Author(s) -
Pines Ayala Malach,
Gat Hamutal,
Tal Yael
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
conflict resolution quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.323
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1541-1508
pISSN - 1536-5581
DOI - 10.1002/crq.9
Subject(s) - style (visual arts) , mediation , psychology , negotiation , argument (complex analysis) , social psychology , interpersonal communication , content (measure theory) , expression (computer science) , interpersonal relationship , emotional expression , developmental psychology , law , medicine , political science , mathematics , mathematical analysis , archaeology , computer science , history , programming language
Analysis of the negotiation process of thirty Israeli couples, chosen randomly, who participated in divorce mediation shows several gender differences in both style and content. Men tend to use more legalistic arguments that are based on principles of law and customary practice. Women tend to use more relational arguments based on interpersonal responsibility to a relationship. Men's style tends to be unemotional and reserved, women's style emotional with more expression of insult and pain. Psychological theories help explain these gender differences. Couple therapists, divorce counselors, and mediators should be aware of these differences and their practice implications.