Interpreting subtle inconsistency: a developmental-clinical perspective.
The meaning attributed to subtle inconsistent messages by outpatient clinical and nonclinical adolescents was studied. The verbal and nonverbal cues used to attribute this meaning were also studied. Both groups attributed meaning to consistent messages accurately and without hesitation and attributed meaning to subtle inconsistent messages with much less consensus and clarity. The clinical group used a verbal focus at times and a nonverbal one at other times to interpret consistent and inconsistent messages that were indicative of a developmentally transitional phase. Nonclinical adolescents always used a nonverbal focus to interpret consistent and inconsistent messages in a developmentally age-appropriate manner.
Roy
L
L
Department of Family Sciences, Brigham Young University.
Sawyers
J K
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D004309:Double Bind Interaction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010553:Personality Development; D013067:Speech Perception; D014796:Visual Perception