An Action-Theoretical Reconstruction of the Development of Social-Cognitive Competence

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Abstract
Social-cognitive abilities are constitutive of competent action. A theory of action, therefore, provides a framework for the analysis of social-cognitive processes. Within an action-theoretical framework, both structure and content aspects of social cognition can be accommodated. It is argued that communicative action must be differentiated from instrumental or strategic action. Basic to communicative action is the ability of the self-reflective subject to justify action to those affected by it. Complex knowledge systems are required to accomplish this task. Empirical data are presented which show that knowledge systems are comprised of developing sets of categories of a naive theory of action and relations between them. Differentiation and coordination of perspectives are essential for the development of these categories.

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