In this chapter, we present a case analysis of the development of frames and frame transitions for the final case of the four representative dyads, Susan and her mother. Similar to the organization utilized in previous qualitative chapters, we present the raw data developmental trajectories for each of the four frames, the raw data transition frequencies between the frames as a function of age, and a qualitative analysis of the relational history. In the latter, we describe the change processes at two levels, ordinary variability (referred to as level 1 change in Chapter 3) and innovations (referred to as level 2 change in Chapter 3), followed by a brief developmental account of these changes that describes any evidence for a developmental re-organization (level 3 change).

Developmental trajectories and transition frequencies

As shown in Figure 7.2 and Table 11.1, social frames were salient until session 6. They appeared to be the historical frame for this dyad. As with Lewis and his mother, both social/object mixed and not-guided object frames were the newly emerging frames. They began to increase at session 6 and grew steadily together for the remaining sessions, as reflected by a significant positive correlation between these two frames (see Table 7.2). Table 7.2 also shows a significant negative correlation between the social frame and the other three frames, suggesting that it is predominant early and is gradually replaced by the other frames.