Invoking Rules in Everyday Family Interactions: A Method for Appealing to Practical Reason

Abstract In this article we examine moments in which parents or other caregivers overtly invoke rules during episodes they take issue with, intervene against, and try to change a child’s ongoing behavior action(s). Drawing on interactional data from four different languages (English, Finnish, German, Polish) using Conversation Analytic methods, first illustrate the variety of ways may use such overt rule invocations as part their modification attempts, showing them be functionally versatile objects. Their flexibility notwithstanding, find that typically when, course intervention episode, encounter trouble with achieving an acceptable compliant outcome. To get at distinct import formulations context, then compare two sequential alternatives: parental expressions experienced negative affective state, threats. While former emphasize aspects social solidarity, latter seek enforce compliance by foregrounding power asymmetry between parent child. Rule formulations, contrast, are designedly impersonal appear directed what construe shortcomings common-sense practical reasoning part. Reflexively, child is thereby cast not having properly applied ‘practical reason’ when engaging treated problematic action. Overt can, therefore, understood indexical appeals reason.