Discourse analysis in neuropsychology: comment on Chapman and Ulatowska

This paper discusses a recent article by Chapman and Ulatowska (1989, Brain and Language, 36, 651-658) on discourse analysis in aphasia. As such, the research in this area is interdisciplinary drawing from neuropsychology, as well as cognitive psychology, and, in part, aging. We illustrate problems that can arise when theoretical constructs and methodological considerations in this interdisciplinary approach are not rigorously observed. It is argued that definitive conclusions regarding the functional organization of the brain and discourse can be offered only when discourse analysis uses the state of the art from neuropsychology and cognitive psychology.