Gender and Communication

Gender and communication is an area of study in the communication discipline in which the focus is on how verbal and nonverbal communication affect and are affected by gender. A common misconception about gender and communication is that it is the study of differences in the way men and women communicate. Of course, some research has focused on those differences; however, the definition in this entry is broader and more encompassing. To best understand the definition of gender and communication, it is important to distinguish between the terms sex, gender, and sexuality. These terms are often used interchangeably; however, there is a distinct difference. Sex refers to biology—how one is born: male, female, or intersex. Gender is socially constructed; that is, communication practices, beliefs, and ...