Abstract

This contribution is a review about experimental researches dealing with effects of interruptions in dyadic conversations published up to now. The development of research is described in its transition from an «external paradigm» to an «internal» one. Main results concerning hypotheses of status and liking, of gender and of amplification are described. A theoretical model is outlined which is able to explain the effects of interruptions primarily according to "Politeness Theory" and on the basis of an integration of "Expectation States Theory" (EST) and "Expectancy Violations Theory" (EVT); it takes into account the influence of cultural background on conversation. Finally, the current state of research and future implications are discussed.