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Peer Influences on the Development of Communicative Competence

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The Utilization of Classroom Peers as Behavior Change Agents

Part of the book series: Applied Clinical Psychology ((ACPH))

Abstract

Eavesdropping on the conversations of young children not only provides the substance for scientific investigations but is a fascinating experience as well. The predictable unpredictability, unpretentiousness, and ingenuous qualities of many of these conversations have a unique and rare capacity for exposing basic assumptions and feelings not found in more sophisticated interactions. This is not to say that these conversations are simple and straightforward or are unaffected by the intricate relationships that exist among speakers, their context, characteristics of listeners, or other complex factors that impinge on a given situation. On the contrary, when our scientific pursuits prevail over the pure enjoyment of listening to the conversations of young children, we are struck by the remarkable communicative competence that characterizes these interactions. Although they are no match for the inveterate and accomplished cocktail-party conversationalist, ample evidence in support of young children’s abilities to initiate, maintain, repair, and terminate conversations can be gathered. Similarly, the coherence, balance, reciprocal nature, and sensitivity to many subtle situational variations displayed by their conversations, as well as the application of social “rules” in shaping these interactions, further suggest a well-developed competence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Nisonger Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA

    Michael J. Guralnick

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  1. Michael J. Guralnick
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Phillip S. Strain

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Guralnick, M.J. (1981). Peer Influences on the Development of Communicative Competence. In: Strain, P.S. (eds) The Utilization of Classroom Peers as Behavior Change Agents. Applied Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2180-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2180-2_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-2182-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-2180-2

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