Explicating communicative competence as a theoretical term.

Abstract

There is a vast research literature on communicative competence. By searching the PsyInfo database in January 2000, using only the terms communicative competence and communication competence, we generated a list of 570 dissertations, articles, books, and book chapters. Although our list includes entries dating back to the mid-1950s, more than 90% of the works have been published since 1980, and 50% have appeared since 1990. A parallel search of PsyInfo using the broader term social competence produced 2,616 relevant works.