Task 2

Use the data below to write 6 statements. This is your interpretation and analysis of the raw data.

• Man H was interrupted more than Woman A
• Woman B had roughly the same seconds to speak as Man H
• Man I had nearly double the amount of turns as Woman C
• Man I had less turns than Woman D
• On average men have more terms per meeting than women
• Woman D has more turns than Man D

Task 3

How can each of the theorists we have looked at be applied to this data, or the statement? Does the data prove or disprove that particular theorist?

O'Barr & Atkins

Their theory that women interrupt more in a courtroom is disproved by this data as it shows that men interrupt more than women.

Geoffrey Beatty

Beatty said that women and men interrupt equally but this is disproved in the data. However, although he did conclude that men interrupted slightly more, he said it wasn't statistically clear whereas these results clearly show men interrupted more. 

Zimmerman & West

This theory is proven as they said men interrupt more than women.

Pamela Fishman

Fishman's theory cannot be proven nor disproved as the statistics do not show whether women use tag questions or not. However, her point about male dominance is shown through the higher average turns and interruptions by men.

Robin Lakoff

Robin Lakoff says that in order for women to feel feminine, they mustn't interrupt which is proven by these statistics but we don't know the reasons why the women interrupted.

Dale Spender

Dale believes that we have a male dominated patriarchal society which is proven as men have more opportunities and time to speak then women. Women are also interrupted more than men.  

Task 4

Which 3 theorists would be most relevant when talking about this data? Why?

Zimmerman & West because it proves than men interrupt more than Women do.

O'Barr & Atkins as