Non-verbal vocalizations, dementia and social interaction

Authors

  • Lars-Christer Hydén Linköping University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/cam.v8i2.135

Keywords:

Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, noisemaking, non-verbal vocalization, interaction

Abstract

In later stages of Alzheimer’s disease many people will engage in noise-making (screaming and other kinds of sounds), often experienced as interruptive by others. A problem with the noise-making is the difficulty in understanding the meaning of the noise. This study addresses two questions: to what extent is noise-making responsive to the ongoing interaction and is noise-making regarded as meaningless behavior by other participants? The analysis of selective examples shows that noises may be fitted into the conversational interaction to a certain degree and in some instances is also responsive to interaction. The co-participants tend to treat the noises as meaningful. A general conclusion is that if utterances and responses in interaction are treated as if they are meaningful, they will become meaningful in their consequences for all participants.

Author Biography

  • Lars-Christer Hydén, Linköping University
    Lars-Christer Hydén is Professor of Social Psychology and Director of the Center for Dementia Research, Linköping University, Sweden. His interest is in the way persons with dementia use their remaining cognitive and linguistic skills in interaction with other people.

Published

2012-06-19

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Hydén, L.-C. (2012). Non-verbal vocalizations, dementia and social interaction. Communication and Medicine, 8(2), 135-144. https://doi.org/10.1558/cam.v8i2.135