Premium
THE SOCIAL PRESERVATION OF MIND: THE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE EXPERIENCE
Author(s) -
Gubrium Jaber F.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
symbolic interaction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.874
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1533-8665
pISSN - 0195-6086
DOI - 10.1525/si.1986.9.1.37
Subject(s) - dialogical self , conversation , psychology , theory of mind , disease , george (robot) , epistemology , psychoanalysis , social psychology , cognition , philosophy , medicine , communication , art , art history , neuroscience , pathology
Data from the Alzheimer's disease (senile dementia) experience are interpreted to extend and refine George Mead's theory of mind. While Mead conceived of mind as an internal conversation, the disease experience shows that the reality‐status of mind is more practical and radically dialogical in organization. Taken as collectively preserved, mind is circumscribed through agents by means of rule‐guided articulations and closures. Suggestions are offered for a more fully dialogical appreciation of Mead's view.