The purpose of the author's contribution to this colloquy was to spark conversation on the theoretical nature of communication processes and the evidentiary requirements for testing their relationship to group outcomes. Co-discussants have raised important issues concerning the philosophical basis of the socioegocentric model (SM) and dual-level…

This commentary responds to the papers in the special issue "Accomplishing identity in bilingual interaction" and particularly to the use of Bucholtz and Hall's (2004a, 2004b, 2005) framework for the linguistic analysis of identities in interaction. The commentary focuses on the relationship between theory and empirical work, with attention to the…

In this paper we argue that video recording of actual practice should be a central tool for organisations attempting to improve services for people with learning disabilities. Since an important site for the disempowerment of service-users is in everyday, mundane interactions with service staff, an approach to staff development is needed which…

Investigation of the nature of professional practice is the focus of this article. It employs the method of reflexive examination in the portrayal of an analytic theoretical framework through which concepts of practice can be more clearly understood. The framework identifies four distinctive dimensions of practice: customary practice, instrumental…

Offers a preliminary analysis of meditations conducted by the Queensland Community Justice Program. The conflict between the need to provide a standardized formal process and the philosophical commitment to disputant control over the dispute process and outcome is examined. Strategies providing methods to manage this conflict are discussed.…

This paper contends that the rationality of the logic of good reasons is constituted in its use. To support this claim, the paper presents an analysis of the relationship between being reasonable and being rational. It then considers how following the logic of good reasons leads to rationality in the behavior of individuals and groups; the latter…

Reviews the software package, "Interaction Analyses," which makes the observation of communication transactions--commonly described as PROANA5--possible with a microcomputer. (PD)

Examines the expectations that students bring to an introductory sociology course and analyzes how they affect general course evaluation items. Results show that students' gender, year in school, and grade point average are associated with different levels of expectancy and expectancy violation, affecting general course evaluation items.…

The article reviews comparative studies of normal and developmentally disabled or at-risk infants in interaction with their mothers, relates these studies to the literature on optimal parent-child interaction, and draws implications for early intervention programs. (DB)

Presents an exploratory taxonomy of small group interaction-coding systems. Six dimensions that characterize interaction-coding schemes are presented in a hierarchical order ranging from abstract conceptual issues to specific methodological ones. These dimensions are: philosophical perspective, conceptual and operational focus, observer inference,…

Outlines certain basic principles of dialectical interaction and suggests their applicability to interorganizational relations. The notion of resources plays a key role in this framework. (Author/IRT)

Responds to a paper by Brant Burleson and continues the dispute regarding whether argument-as-product or argument-as-interaction should be regarded as the paradigm case or exemplar of argument. Defends the primacy of the interactional view by reference to the shortcomings of the serial predicative view. (JMF)

The current status and condition of theory and method related to research on interactive teaching is examined. Alternative conceptions and methods are offered. (Author/MT)

Reports work on text from extended event of talking among professionals. Discusses problematic communication and implications of nonsuccess in social interaction. Believes failure in explanation or in resolving competing claims implies need for more adequate cognitive and cultural models of participants' knowledge and practices; theoretical…

The article suggests a contextualist approach to helping isolated or rejected learning disabled children. In this approach the source of social problems is attributed to both partners in a peer relationship. Rather than remediating the social deficits of the LD child alone, instruction occurs within the context of ongoing peer interactions.…