The impact of communication apprehension, gender, and time on turn‐taking behavior in initial interactions

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between communication apprehension (CA), gender, and time on turn‐requesting and turn‐yielding behavior in initial interactions. In general, CA seemed to be more closely related to differences in turn‐requesting than turn‐yielding behaviors. Females employed different turn‐taking beliaviors than males. Low CA females used considerably different turn‐taking behaviors than high CA males. For instance, low CA females used head nodding more than interruptions, simultaneous talk, or stutter starts to request a turn. The reverse pattern was in evidence for high CA males. Turn‐taking behaviors were not found to be significantly different during the first five minutes compared to the last five minutes of a twenty minute interaction. These and other results are discussed at the conclusion of this report.