Forrester2001

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Forrester2001
BibType ARTICLE
Key Forrester2001
Author(s) Michael A. Forrester
Title The embedding of the self in early interaction
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, Conversation Analysis, Self, Identity, Parent-child interactions, Infants
Publisher
Year 2001
Language
City
Month
Journal Infant & Child Development
Volume 10
Number 4
Pages 189–202
URL Link
DOI 10.1002/icd.278
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

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Abstract

Presupposed in the earliest discourses we experience are implicit concepts concerning the nature of the self and identity. This paper examines the idea that through exposure to, and participation in, talk, the young infant is provided with appropriate discourses regarding what constitutes self and identity. Arguably, engaging in conversation entails entering into the co-construction of participant stories, folk-beliefs and everyday narratives concerning the nature and status of the self. The young child learns that he/she is required to display different versions of him/herself depending on the nature of the context. This study of the development of the discursive self begins by examining the discourse genres of the self made available to the child, that is, versions of the self presupposed in the caregivers' talk. Employing conversation analytic methods, a micro-analysis of the talk of a parent–child dyad forms the basis of the study. The infant and parent (father) were video-taped during mealtimes from when the infant was 18 months to 28 months old. The nature of the discourses informing ideas of the developing self are highlighted through considering examples in the parent's talk throughout this period. The findings are discussed in light of contemporary theories of the self in developmental psychology. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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