Conversational Topic as a Function of Role and Gender

Abstract

The frequency of same-sex conversational topics was ascertained by self-reports from 110 men and 166 women. Respondents were asked how often they discussed each of 22 topics with same-sex friends, co-workers, siblings, parents, and children. The most frequent topic in each role was the same for both sexes: the other sex was discussed most often with friends, work with co-workers, and family with siblings, parents, and children. Beyond that, however, there were substantial sex and role differences in popularity of topics.