Gender Differences in E-mail Communication

Traditionally it is widely accepted that there are gender discrepancies in using language. Nowadays with the fast development of Internet and widespread use of e-mail, the problem is proposed whether gender differences in the real-word communication exist in the virtual-world communication. Through reviewing the current researches done by Paolo Rossetti, Robert Kraut and so on, it is found that the gender-specific communication does exist in E-mail communication. And then reasons are explored for the existence of the phenomenon. Through analysis, it is found that male and female try to extend their different roles in real world to the virtual world. Men try to use technology to further their influence while women use it to nurture and develop close relationships.