The role of gender in perceived speaker competence: an analysis of student peer critiques

Abstract

Previous research suggests that college students bring gender biases to their evaluations of male and female instructors. Increasingly, college oral communication classes are utilizing peer evaluation of student speeches. This study of 330 student evaluators at a Midwestern university examined gender bias in student peer evaluations of public speeches. Findings indicated that neither speaker sex nor sex of the student evaluator affected overall ratings of speaking competence. Formality of attire, however, did influence the ratings and types of comments provided to speakers. Speaker sex did influence the degree to which evaluators were persuaded and the types of comments given by student evaluators, however. Positive open‐ended comments about female speakers were limited to remarks about quality of external sources, whereas positive comments addressed to male speakers covered a wider range of attributes. In general, results encourage use of peer evaluations of public speaking performance, since they appear to be relatively immune to extraneous biases.

Keywords:

• gender bias
• peer evaluation
• higher education
• public speaking classes

Notes

Deanna Sellnow (PhD, University of North Dakota, 1991) is associate professor and director of the public speaking fundamentals program in the Department of Communication at North Dakota State University, Box 5075, University Station, Fargo, North Dakota. Kristen Treinen (PhD, Southern Illinois University, 2003) is assistant professor and director of the basic course in the Department of Communication at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Deanna Sellnow can be contacted at [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Deanna D. Sellnow

Deanna Sellnow (PhD, University of North Dakota, 1991) is associate professor and director of the public speaking fundamentals program in the Department of Communication at North Dakota State University, Box 5075, University Station, Fargo, North Dakota. Kristen Treinen (PhD, Southern Illinois University, 2003) is assistant professor and director of the basic course in the Department of Communication at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Deanna Sellnow can be contacted at [email protected]