Semin Speech Lang 2012; 33(01): 44-54
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1301162
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Beyond Utterances: Distributed Cognition as a Framework for Studying Discourse in Adults with Acquired Brain Injury

Melissa C. Duff
1   Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders
2   Neurology, Division of Behavioral Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
,
Bilge Mutlu
3   Computer Sciences
,
Lindsey Byom
4   Communicative Disorders, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin, Madison
,
Lyn S. Turkstra
4   Communicative Disorders, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin, Madison
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 February 2012 (online)

Abstract

Considerable effort has been directed at understanding the nature of the communicative deficits observed in individuals with acquired brain injuries. Yet several theoretical, methodological, and clinical challenges remain. In this article, we examine distributed cognition as a framework for understanding interaction among communication partners, interaction of communication and cognition, and interaction with the environments and contexts of everyday language use. We review the basic principles of distributed cognition and the implications for applying this approach to the study of discourse in individuals with cognitive-communication disorders. We also review a range of protocols and findings from our research that highlight how the distributed cognition approach might offer a deeper understanding of communicative mechanisms and deficits in individuals with cognitive communication impairments. The advantages and implications of distributed cognition as a framework for studying discourse in adults with acquired brain injury are discussed.

 
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