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Abstract
The research on organ donation issues consistently notes that the need for organs is ever-
increasing, but the numbers of donated organs do not keep pace with demand. The
research also indicates a large number of people who report a willingness to donate their
organs, but notes the crucial role of the family of a deceased individual in the actual
donation process. Discussions with family members appear to be key to transforming the
wishes of the individual into an actual organ donation. Gender differences have been
noted in terms of both attitudes toward organ donation and responses to donation
messages. The present study investigated gender differences in conversations with
family members about organ donation, finding that males are less likely to have such
conversations and, when such conversations do occur, are less likely to include within
them topics of conversation that are associated with more positive responses from family
members. Speculation is offered about the reasons for these gender differences and
suggestions are made about communicative strategies to more effectively convince males
to both donate their organs and to talk to family members about donation.
Convention