Gender Differences in Language Use: An Analysis of 14,000 Text Samples

Abstract

Differences in the ways that men and women use language have long been of interest in the study of discourse. Despite extensive theorizing, actual empirical investigations have yet to converge on a coherent picture of gender differences in language. A significant reason is the lack of agreement over the best way to analyze language. In this research, gender differences in language use were examined using standardized categories to analyze a database of over 14,000 text files from 70 separate studies. Women used more words related to psychological and social processes. Men referred more to object properties and impersonal topics. Although these effects were largely consistent across different contexts, the pattern of variation suggests that gender differences are larger on tasks that place fewer constraints on language use.

Notes

¹We are happy to make this corpus available to other researchers. Interested parties can contact James W. Pennebaker for more information at [email protected]

*p < .001.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Carla J. Groom

employed by the UK Department for Work and Pensions.