ON LABELING IN ACTUAL INTERACTION - DELIVERING AND RECEIVING DIAGNOSES OF DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES

In order to deepen the understanding of labeling as a social activity, we propose that more attention be devoted to the actual activities of those involved in the process. Our research concerns professional-lay interaction in a clinic for developmental disabilities. Using videota pes of informing interviews involving clinicians and parents, we exami ne the delivery and receipt of diagnostic news. We show that clinician s proceed cautiously when presenting labels to parents, using devices such as the Perspective-Display Series, Incomplete Syllogism, Retrospe ctive Perspective-Display, and Subordinating the Label, that allow par ents' responses to enter into the news delivery and labeling process. We also find that participants invoke social outcomes in promoting and resisting labels.