As we wait to hear if Professor Christine Blasey will acquiesce to what her attorney described as not a “good faith” process, consider what is being asked of her. If we look at the four options presented by Senator Chuck Grassley, the deck is stacked in favor of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Yes, Blasey has come forward out of anonymity to describe what could be a disqualifying act for Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation. To be fair, she needs to make her case. But she will do so in a massive public venue without the option for vague answers that have characterized the judge’s responses. She will lack the extensive practice that he has acquired and, worse, she may be nervous.
Why is being nervous an issue? Decades of source credibility research attest that conviction is a huge part of perceived truthfulness. As we’ve seen with other women in the public sphere, they are judged differently on this dimension.
In my sessions and coaching on persuasion and leadership, I usually work harder with women on conviction. We are socialized to be less direct. When we are, there’s an inclination to use disclaimer phrases like “I hope this doesn’t upset anyone, but…” and “This isn’t meant to critical, but …”, even “This may be a stupid idea, but…” in order to offset the impression of abrasiveness — of coming across as an ice queen or unlikable.
We’re expected to smile more than men and to use gestures that soften directness. These expectations plagued Hillary Clinton and they could well be an issue for Blasey. Deny as senators might that they apply different criteria to interpret male and female speech, research does not bear that out.
Anita Hill has called for a neutral body experienced in sexual misconduct cases to investigate the incident in question and present their finding to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The findings would then be used by Senators to frame their questions. She added that a week’s preparation is not enough time for meaningful inquiry into very serious charges. It is also not enough time for Blasey to consider, as Kavanaugh has for months now, how her answers will be perceived in terms of content and delivery.
It’s easy to dismiss communication issues as irrelevant. But you can bet Brett Kavanaugh has considered his communication at length. How we speak is a huge part of how we’re perceived. And women walk a thin pink line balancing impressive conviction with gender expectations.
Blasey’s colleagues, school friends and acquaintances see her as a bright, articulate and credible professor and scientist. Also important, however, is whether we can hear the truth through our biases and whether a few days of preparation is enough given how imbedded they are in our minds and culture. Not likely.
