Sex differences in emotion: Expression, experience, and physiology

Author(s): Gordon, A. H.

Journal/Book: J Personal Soc Psychol. 1998; 74: 750 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Amer Psychological Assoc. 686-703.

Abstract: Although previous studies of emotional responding have found that women are more emotionally expressive than men, it remains unclear whether men and women differ in other domains of emotional response. We assessed the expressive, experiential, and physiological emotional responses of men and women in 2 studies. In Study 1, undergraduates viewed emotional films. Compared with men, women were more expressive, did not differ in reports of experienced emotion, and demonstrated different patterns of skin conductance responding. In Study 2, undergraduate men and women viewed emotional films and completed self-report scales of expressivity, gender role characteristics. And family expressiveness. Results replicated those from Study 1, and gender role characteristics and family expressiveness moderated the relationship between sex and expressivity.

Note: Article Kring AM, Vanderbilt Univ, Dept Psychol, Nashville,TN 37240 USA

Keyword(s): SPONTANEOUS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS; NERVOUS-SYSTEM ACTIVITY; PSYCHOLOGICAL ANDROGYNY; NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR; INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES; SELF-EXPRESSIVENESS; GENDER DIFFERENCES; AFFECTIVE IMAGERY; DISPLAY RULES; COMMUNICATION

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