Effects of Sex of Subject, Sex of Interrupter, and Topic of Conversation on the Perceptions of Interruptions

Abstract

This study examined how interruptions (violations in turn taking) are perceived and whether perceptions of interrupters vary by sex of the interrupter, sex of the subject, and the topic (stereotypical male and female topics) of a conversation. Subjects listened to a 21/2-min. audiotape of a conversation and rated the conversants on masculinity, femininity, traditionality, assertiveness, and sociability. Subjects also responded, with ratings, to seven statements related to the conversation and the feelings of the conversants toward one another. Analysis indicated that sex of the subject significantly affects perceptions of the interruption. Regardless of the sex of the interrupter and the topic of the conversation, men had more positive attitudes toward the interrupting than the women. Both sexes rated same sex interrupters more negatively than those of the opposite sex.