Homology in the development of triadic interaction and language

Abstract

Conceiving of development with reference to homology can help identify developmental continuity where surface form shows considerable variation across age. I argue that there is a homology of structure between the object-centred, or triadic, interactions that emerge in infancy and later language. The structure of triadic interaction in infancy is first described as involving joint attention and joint engagement about a shared topic, and then a case is made that this structure is maintained through three levels of complexity in language-single word utterances, multiword utterances, and finally complex constructions. A focus on the homological relation between these social interactive structures may be useful in revealing developmental continuities where these may be obscured by quite different surface forms.

Communicative Use of Triadic Eye Gaze in Children With Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

“…In typically developing children, the use of TEG begins to emerge around 6 months of age, once they have the motor and visual coordination to do so (Moore, 2013). Although initially, the use of eye gaze at this time may be solely a dual orientation (i.e., from an object to the caregiver), TEG emerges soon after (Salley & Brady, 2015).…”

“…These phrases often verify the focus of attention initially established through triadic social interaction (e.g., "More ball! "; Longard & Moore, 2015;Moore, 2013). Thus, TEG plays a pivotal role in language development.…”

Phases of collaborative mathematical problem solving and joint attention: a case study utilizing mobile gaze tracking

“…However, their attention is on the same thing around the same time, and they acknowledge it. Moore (2013) refers to this kind of interaction around non-visible objects as joint representational attention. We suggest that joint representational attention can be found also in the interaction focusing on mathematics.…”

Transitivity Types Predict Communicative Abilities in Infants at Risk of Autism*

“…Transitivity has been used, by applying balance theory, to assess the structural integrity and balance of social networks pertaining to transmission of communication, interactions, friendships, etc. (Moore, 2013;Schimada, 2013;van den Oord et al, 2000). According to balance theory, relationships between elements can exhibit or lack balance based on their structural makeup.…”