Perceptions of Males and Females' Use of Aggressive Affirming and Nonaffirming Messages in an Interpersonal Dispute: You've Come a Long Way Baby?

Abstract

This study examines perceptions of argumentative and verbally aggressive conduct, and also five relationship-outcome factors contingent upon dyad sex and communicator style. Participants viewed one of four videos that manipulated the sex and the communicator style of a dyad in an interpersonal dispute. Significant main effects were observed for each independent variable. The results suggest that perceptions of argumentative and verbally aggressive conduct, and three relationship-outcome factors varied according to dyad sex. In addition, dyads engaging in an interpersonal dispute with an affirming versus nonaffirming communicator style were perceived as less verbally aggressive. Implications of these findings are offered.

Keywords:

• Argumentativeness
• Communicator Style
• Expectancy Violations
• Sex Roles
• Verbal Aggression

Notes

Note. Standard deviations are in parentheses.

Note. Standard deviations are in parentheses.

*p < .05.

**p < .01.

Note. Standard deviations are in parentheses.

***p < .001.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Felecia F. Jordan-Jackson

Felecia F. Jordan-Jackson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at The Florida State University.

Yang Lin

Yang Lin is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication at University of Akron.

Andrew S. Rancer

Andrew S. Rancer is Professor in the School of Communication at University of Akron.

Dominic A. Infante

Dominic A. Infante is Professor Emeritus in the School of Communication Studies at Kent State University.