Doctoral Dissertation Research: Social Order and the Construction of Meaning in Social Interaction: Troubled Communication Between Sighted and Partially Sighted/Blind People

Wayne State University, Detroit MI

Investigators

Abstract

This dissertation investigates how blind and partially sighted peoples' inability to respond to visible, non-vocal gestures leads to disruptions in interactional encounters. A consistent set of problems occur during everyday social interaction between sighted and visually impaired/blind people. Conversational analysis will explore how interactional repairs (e.g., recycled turns) maintain the achievement of meaning in spite of these problems. The research will not only analyze how these particular interactions are negotiated, but will demonstrate the role of taken-for-granted visible gestures in interpersonal communication among sighted people. Participant observation and interviews with partially sighted/blind people will develop a broad description of interactional problems. Videotaped interaction will be used to analyze the conversational process of disruption and repair in more detail.