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Tag questions and powerfulness: Quantitative and qualitative analyses of a course of psychotherapy1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2008

Helen R. Winefield ,
Margaret A. Chandler  and
Darryl L. Bassett
Helen R. Winefield
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide
Margaret A. Chandler
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Psychology, S. A. College of Advanced Education
Darryl L. Bassett
Affiliation:
Psychiatrist, Adelaide
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Abstract

A complete course of psychotherapy provided extensive information about natural speech patterns of a male psychiatrist and a female patient. Contrary to assertions of the deferential function of tag questions, the patient's use of this form increased as she gained in self-confidence and improved her psychological adjustment. Qualitative analysis of the type, antecedents, and consequences of tag questions in sessions at the beginning and end of the therapy shows how the patient's use of the form reflects her growing independence. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of verbal interaction offer complementary benefits, and a two-stage research method is advocated. (Psychotherapeutic discourse, tag questions, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, psychotherapy process)

Type
Articles
Information
Language in Society , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , March 1989 , pp. 77 - 86
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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