Offers insight on the emotional expression of men and women.
Perception of persons attitude when men and women display emotions
inconsistent with the gender stereotypes; Type of emotions both sexes are
expected to show; How women's feelings and reactions are seen; Details on
the way in which one view men and women's emotional expression.
By
Lindsay Kallen, published on September 01, 1998
A man bursts into tears after a tough day at the office and
concernedco-workers rush to support him. A woman sobs in the same
situation and her distress is barely acknowledged. Why such differing
reactions? It all depends on what we don't expect, contends Purdue
University psychologist Janice Kelly, Ph.D.
Her research suggests that when men and women display emotions
inconsistent with the gender stereotypes we hold, we're apt to think that
those feelings are more genuine and legitimate. Men are expected to show
anger and stubbornness, women to express happiness, sadness, land fear.
So a crying woman is just more of the same, but a sorrowful man is such a
rarity that we believe he must be on the brink of disaster. Likewise, an
angry man is common, but a livid woman is so rare we think that she must
really be furious.
Even so, a woman's feelings still don't carry the same weight as a
man's. Women typically are seen as "emotional" and their reactions viewed
as overblown. "We tend to discount a large reaction in women," observes
Kelly, while men are more likely to be admired for showing their true
emotions. A man who panics in stressful conditions is seen as honest or
vulnerable, for example, while a frightened woman might be regarded as
overreacting.
The way we view men's and women's emotional expressions may have an
impact on our romantic relationships. Emotions may be given more weight
according to who expresses them, not how sincere they are. Thus, that
heart-toheart conversation with your partner may not be an equal trade,
after all, since in the currency of emotions, a woman's feelings are
worth much less.
Tags:
angry man,
emotion,
emotional expressions,
expectation,
expression,
gender,
happiness sadness,
men and women,
panics,
purdue university,
rarity,
romantic relationships,
sobs,
stereotypes,
stressful conditions,
tough day,
true emotions,
university psychologist
