The male seminar leaders, when informed of Sandler's observations, denied any differences existed, but the next day, there were no interruptions. When these things happen again and again, they have a detrimental impact and serve to lower women's self-esteem and suppress their participation in groups. But women are not the only victims of such behavior, Sandler said. Other observations about the subtle ways men and women are treated differently vividly came to life during a role-playing exercise involving four administrators in a mock staff meeting. Women are called by name much less frequently than men are.
Men get more praise, reinforcement and coaching when they speak.
Women are more likely to apologize for their positions or statements. Men receive more eye-contact from meeting leaders. People tend to frown more when women are speaking than when men have the floor. We just don't give women enough attention. But even without any shifts in the way men and women are treated, this knowledge should help women handle difficult situations - in an academic setting or otherwise.