A theory of interactional systems: semantic connections and relational contextics

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to develop a theoretical proposition based on the study of intercultural miscommunication, which has shown that the creation, evolution and ending of interactional misunderstandings can be understood by using systemic theories (Wagener, 2009a, 2010). In this perspective, human interactions obey basic principle that can be applied to biological life in its simplest expression, although said interactions draw on sophisticated devices used to trigger and maintain relationships and communication variations. We thus wish to combine the systemic, the pragmatic and the connectionist paradigms to represent both nuances and subtleties of human rapports. A systemic model of human interactions, namely the interactional system, would then draw on the flexibility and adaptability of its fundamental parameters. The main purpose of the present work is to elaborate on a theory of interactional systems by proposing a coherent and comprehensive approach of interactional dynamics, in order to present an accurate modelisation of the complexity of human interactions – especially when said interactions suffer situations of conflictual destabilisation.