DISCOURSE ANALYSIS IN RESEARCH ON AGING

This article explores the potential of discourse analysis for understa nding issues in aging and in the lives of older people. We describe di scourse analysis from the perspective of discursive psychology and ide ntify the basic features of discourse analysis: (1) talk and written t exts are viewed as action; (2) talk itself is the topic of interest (n ot an index of internal states); (3) variability is viewed positively. Stages of discourse analysis are briefly discussed. We then consider examples of discourse-analytic research (on identity construction, pha tic communion, frame stereotyping and humour). We conclude by suggesti ng possible uses and applications of discourse analysis in research on aging.