Relational Processes in Adolescent and Adult Dialogues: Assessing the Intersubjective Context of Conversation

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Abstract
Research on the influence of dialogue on cognitive and moral development has typically evaluated peers’ efforts to achieve a consensus given initially conflicting viewpoints. Focusing solely on this conflict-consensus model may, however, obscure differences in relational processes. An investigation of relational processes evident in the transactive statements of adult and adolescent, same-sex, peer dialogues is described. Group differences in relational transact patterns were found: Alter-focused, noncompetitive transacts were most prevalent in group 1 dyads; alter-focused, competitive and ego-focused, competitive transacts characterized group 2; and alter-focused, noncompetitive and competitive transacts predominated in group 3. All group 1 dyads were female, all group 2 were male, and group 3 comprised both male and female dyads. Implications for assessing diversity in the relational processes of peer dialogues are discussed.

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