The Brain Behind the Response: Insights Into Turn-taking in Conversation From Neuroimaging

Abstract

This article reviews the prospects for the cross-fertilization of conversation analytic (CA) and neurocognitive studies of conversation, focusing on turn taking. Although conversation is the primary ecological niche for language use, relatively little brain research has focused on interactive language use, partly due to the challenges of using brain-imaging methods that are controlled enough to perform sound experiments but still reflect the rich and spontaneous nature of conversation. Recently, though, brain researchers have started to investigate conversational phenomena—for example, by using “overhearer” or controlled interaction paradigms. We review neuroimaging studies related to turn-taking and sequence organization, phenomena historically described by CA. These studies, for example, show early action recognition and immediate planning of responses midway during an incoming turn. The review discusses studies with an eye to a fruitful interchange between CA and neuroimaging research on conversation and an indication of how these disciplines can benefit from each other.

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