3 ms·
behavior like assertiveness, dominance, or even interrupting I've observed these behaviors in both women as well and people who aren't white. What's common amo
by malandrew 12y ago
behavior like assertiveness, dominance, or even interrupting
I've observed these behaviors in both women as well and people who aren't white. What's common among these "exceptions" and the "white males" who exhibit these traits is that they typically have a very aspie/autistic brain with a strong focus on constructivism and proofs. There are also plenty of white males who are not assertive, dominant and interrupt. And many white males are interrupted by other white males that are assertive and dominant. Women and non-whites are not the only ones who experience being interrupted by assertive and dominant individuals.
If you're wrong about something (or perceived to be wrong about something) in a discussion with someone (of either gender) who scores high on having systemizing cognitive traits and mind-blindness, you'll likely experience them interrupting you to assert their dominance about why you are wrong through proofs and/or deductive reasoning.
Research indicates that the main correlative factor with these behaviors is likely exposure to higher levels of fetal testosterone. While it is statistically more common for males to be exposed to high levels of fetal testosterone, females exposed to high levels of fetal testosterone also exhibit similar personalities/behaviors. Levels of fetal testosterone exposure are more predictive than gender insofar as measures of systematizing and likelihood of mind blindness is concerned.
Focusing on this being a "gendered" issue leads you to ignore other factors that may be more predictive (and possibly causative, but there's nothing conclusive yet) than what sex chromosomes someone has.
Check out the research work from Simon Baron Cohen from the longitudinal Cambridge Child Development Study.
http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/project_15_foetaltst http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/project_15_foetaltst
FWIW, I am one of those assertive, dominant individuals that interrupts others often. I try to be cognizant of this "habit" of mine. I interrupt white males way way way more often than I interrupt those who are not male or white. I happen to be a white male and aspie. As I have these traits, it's much easier for me to recognize it in others irrespective of gender and race.
A great contributing factor to interrupting others is that I have an incredibly hard time picking up on the facial and voice inflection cues that indicate that someone is done speaking. I often perceive someone as being done with their thought when they actually are not. When I err on the side of being conservative and really wait for it to be obvious that someone is done speaking, it results in me missing the opportunity to speak next and someone with a greater capacity to realize when someone is done speaks up before I get the chance. Because of this I either end up in scenarios where I interrupt more often than I should or not having any opportunity to speak. It's quite challenging to find the sweet spot where my timing is such where I can pick up on when someone is done talking and speak next without interrupting them.
- jlynn 12y agoI do not think the purpose of "gendered expectations" is to say that all "white males" behave this way and that other types of people do not. It is not meant to be predictive. As you point out, many people have these traits and there is interesting research finding correlation between behavioral traits and biological factors. Instead, gendered expectations is about behavior that a society/environment deem acceptable for a certain type of person. That is, it is more acceptable for a man to behave in a loud and assertive manner. Your final point really rung true with me. It is a great example of how environments encourage, or even require, that type of behavior. I can recall many times that I have been in a meeting and had anxiety that I couldn't get my point across because someone else was interrupting more effectively. And if I don't interrupt at the right time, I get spoken over and eventually the topic moves on. Know that in those environments, you're not the only person in the room feeling that way. And for the less assertive people or those who think it is inappropriate to interrupt others, they get even less opportunities to speak up. It seems like that is the status quo for so many discussions and I have to wonder, is there a better way?