Begin this assessment by watching or listening (or both) to people in a public space. Look for examples of gendered verbal and nonverbal communication. Remember as you observe that men may engage in feminine verbal and nonverbal communication, and women may engage in masculine verbal and nonverbal communication. Note your observations.
Then, write an analysis of the gendered dimensions of verbal and nonverbal communication that you observe in a public space. Consider the following in your analysis:
- Did men and women tend to follow traditional expectations for nonverbal communication? Explain.
- Did men and women tend to follow traditional expectations for verbal communication? Explain.
- Did you notice any other patterns in your observations (verbal or nonverbal [or both])? Explain.
- Did anyone violate a nonverbal expectation? Explain. What was the response to the violation?
