Perceptions of Female and Male Speech

The study elicited stereotypes of female and male speech behaviour. The results give strong evidence that the speech of females and the speech of males, as perceived by women and by men, do not have the same subject matter, or the same manner of delivery. Of the 51 speech characteristics considered by the participants, 36 were rated as differentiating between female and male speech. These popular beliefs have an impact on people's behaviour, especially in initial encounters.