“In applying developmental principles to the analysis of aphasic speech, this study makes two basic assumptions: First, the functions underlying abnormal behavior are in their essence not different from those underlying normal behavior. Second, any human activity such as perceiving, thinking, acting, etc. is an unfolding process, and this unfolding or 'microgenesis' whether it takes seconds or hours or days, occurs in developmental sequence. In viewing speech as an unfolding event, this study suggests the feasibility of relating certain semantic aspects of aphasic language to microgenetically earlier forms of linguistic activity.” 20 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)