Men and women have very different communication styles. These differences often cause barriers in understanding between the sexes. One aspect of communication that is vital to the overall message that is being delivered is body language. Because the differences in non-verbal cues are nearly opposite between the sexes, understanding them will alleviate some of the miscommunication that often happens. Below, you will find some of the main barriers of communication and the body language characteristics that accompany them.
It is natural for men to assume relaxed positions when listening to someone. Oftentimes, men will lean backward, away from the speaker. Since women usually lean forward, toward the speaker, they will perceive this type of body language to mean that the man is uninterested, or that she is not delivering her message completely.
As well as leaning back while listening to someone, men also have an inclination toward looking at a speaker from an angle. Since women usually look directly at the speaker, a woman may perceive this non-verbal cue to mean he is not paying attention to her.
There have also been numerous psychological tests that have shown men to be less sensitive to non-verbal cues. Women, in contrast, have a much more acute awareness of these non-verbal cues. This awareness means that the woman will be quick to notice a semblance of non-interest, or lack of sympathy. Since the man is simply not picking up on subtle cues from the woman, her perception of non-interest may lead to a misunderstanding.
Men also are very limited in their facial expressions as compared to women. Women provide much more facial feedback and expression during conversations. Considering the fact that women naturally tune in to facial expressions, the lack of expression from a man may give the woman the sense that he is not interested, though she may actually have his undivided attention.
Men tend to take up much more physical space than do women. When they sit, they will extend their legs farther, spread them widely, put their arms behind their heads, or extend their arms outward. When standing, their arms are usually spread further apart, as are their legs. Since women are minimalists in terms of space, (keeping their hands close to their bodies, keeping their feet together), these non-verbal cues from men may unconsciously create the perception, during a conversation, that the man is trying to dominate the conversation.
Though men are naturally less likely to display as broad a spectrum of facial expressions as women while listening to someone, they will squint or turn their lips slightly downward (frown) while engaged in a conversation. Women, in contrast, will acknowledge a speaker with positive affirmations such as nodding and smiling. In some cases, a man’s natural expression of listening will suggest to a woman that she needs to clarify or repeat herself. In some cases, she read these cues to mean she needs to redirect the conversation.
