Shared Intentionality & Common Ground Flashcards
Define “common ground” in the context of language and communication.
Common ground refers to the shared knowledge, beliefs, and assumptions that participants in a conversation rely on to communicate effectively.
Why is common ground important for successful communication?
It allows speakers and listeners to make inferences about each other’s intentions, ensuring that messages are understood as intended.
What are the two types of common ground described by Clark?
The two types are personal common ground and communal common ground.
What is personal common ground?
Personal common ground is the shared knowledge and experiences between individuals based on their direct interactions.
What is communal common ground?
Communal common ground is the shared knowledge and assumptions within a larger community or culture.
How do speakers establish common ground during a conversation?
Speakers establish common ground through direct interaction, referencing shared experiences, and using language that assumes shared knowledge.
What role does context play in establishing common ground?
Context helps define what information is shared and relevant, guiding participants in how to interpret and respond to each other.
What is the “principle of least collaborative effort” mentioned by Clark?
This principle states that speakers and listeners aim to minimize the effort needed to achieve mutual understanding.
Give an example of how common ground affects language choice.
A speaker might choose more specific or technical terms when talking to someone with shared expertise, assuming mutual understanding of the terminology.
How does common ground influence the development of language in children?
Children learn to use and interpret language by building on shared experiences and knowledge with their caregivers and peers.
What are grounding acts in conversation?
Grounding acts are verbal or non-verbal behaviors that confirm mutual understanding, such as nodding or saying “I see.”
How do misunderstandings affect common ground?
Misunderstandings indicate a breakdown in common ground, requiring participants to repair communication by clarifying or re-establishing shared knowledge.
What methods do speakers use to repair communication and re-establish common ground?
Speakers may repeat, rephrase, provide additional context, or explicitly check for understanding to repair communication.
Explain the concept of “presupposition” in relation to common ground.
Presupposition involves assumptions speakers make about what listeners already know, based on their common ground.
How do social relationships influence common ground?
Social relationships determine the extent of shared experiences and knowledge, affecting how easily common ground can be established.
What is the significance of shared activities in establishing common ground?
Shared activities provide a basis for mutual knowledge and understanding, facilitating more effective communication.
How do cultural norms and practices contribute to communal common ground?
Cultural norms and practices provide a framework of shared expectations and knowledge that guide communication within a community.
In what ways do speakers adjust their language based on the perceived common ground with their audience?
Speakers adjust their language by choosing appropriate vocabulary, level of detail, and references based on what they believe the audience knows.
How does the concept of common ground extend to non-verbal communication?
Non-verbal cues, such as gestures and facial expressions, rely on common ground for their meaning and interpretation in context.
What is the main argument of Tomasello and Moll in “The gap is social: Human shared intentionality and culture”?
The main argument is that the key difference between humans and other primates lies in our ability for shared intentionality, which is fundamental to human culture and social structures.
Define “shared intentionality” according to Tomasello and Moll.
Shared intentionality refers to the capacity to share psychological states with others, including intentions, goals, and attention.
How does shared intentionality contribute to human culture?
Shared intentionality allows for complex cooperation, communication, and the creation and transmission of cultural norms, knowledge, and practices.
What are the two types of intentionality in the context of communication?
The two types are individual intentionality (individuals acting based on their own goals and intentions) and shared intentionality (individuals acting together with a shared goal).
How do Tomasello and Moll describe the role of joint attention in shared intentionality?
Joint attention is the foundation of shared intentionality, where individuals focus on the same object or event and are aware of each other’s focus, enabling coordinated actions and communication.
