Interaction and the Development of Mind

Studies in Interactional Sociolinguistics

by A.J. Wootton

This study identifies key mechanisms through which a young child operates with external knowledge in his/her immediate social context. Central to this is the child's capacity to draw on discourse-based understandings that have become evident in prior interaction. In contrast to studies that analyze development under different headings, such as language, emotions and cognition, Tony Wootton links these aspects in his examination of the state of understanding that exists at any given moment in interaction. The result is a distinctive social constructionist approach to children's development.

230 pages, Hardcover

First published April 13, 1997

Reviews

[Yvonne Tse Crepaldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who do not have a conversation analysis background, it can be a little dull or you may feel lost (and ask why's a big fuss in detailing a 5 second talk with a kid). But I think this book actually has a lot of implications on other phenomena of child language. It forms the basis of my research framework; and I should definitely read it again and chew on the essence.