Final answer:
Deborah Tannen studied the dominant communication styles in American culture, suggesting that it is characterized by an argument culture. She found that gender differences in communication are culturally rather than biologically determined. Therefore, the answer is c. both a and b.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deborah Tannen, a professor of linguistics at Georgetown University, has been instrumental in analyzing communication styles, particularly with respect to gender differences in communication. Her research suggests that American culture embodies what she calls an argument culture, where confrontation is emphasized over other forms of dialogue. Tannen observed that men and women often engage in conversation with different motivations, with men frequently speaking to assert status, and women aiming to build connections. This aligns with her broader work on patterns of communication, which proposes that these differences are not biologically inherent but are culturally learned.
Furthermore, linguistic anthropologists like Elizabeth Mertz have examined how language in professional settings, such as law schools, helps inculcate students into certain modes of elitist thinking, emphasizing textual analysis over moral and emotional considerations. This line of research points to how language can serve as a mechanism for both inclusion and exclusion within various social groups. Therefore, based on the information provided, the correct response would be c. both a and b, as Deborah Tannen not only studied the dominance of a particular interaction style but also proposed that this style characterizes much of American societal discourse.