Gender Theorists- Ocr A Level English Language Study Guide Graded A+

Deficit Theory {Ans: The idea of female language being seen as deficient in someway to the established male norm}Dominance Theory {Ans: Theory that the male is dominant in mixed gender conversational discourse- Women are said to be powerless with men interrupting and speaking more to cultural construction of gender in society}Deborah Tannen (1990) {Ans: -Theory that the different sexes are of belonging to different sub cultures giving explanation for different language use- Parents use more words on feelings for girls and verbs for boys -In her book she highlights differences 1) Status vs support 2) Advice vs understanding 3) information vs feeling 4) orders vs proposal 5) conflict vs compromise 6) independence vs intimacy - The study can be accused of making generalisations}Jennifer Coates (1989) {Ans: - The aim of females in conversation is often to be cooperative to help negotiation and support other contributors rights as speakers - Cooperation there for supportiveness, but also to help themselves contribute to discussion - Although, in convo with men males seen to be more assertive and less supportive - differing sociocultural expectations are highlighted}O'Barr and Atkins(1980) {Ans: A study made regarding a courtroom which displayed the use