ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the influence of different knowledge structures on how simple questions are understood and answered. It shows how different types of answers indicate the differences in the knowledge structures used in understanding why-questions. It provides the classification of the parts the actions play in the activities and the influence of the kind of action on the type of response that a question about it elicits. The chapter also examines responses to why-questions in a situation where the nature of the request is clear—namely, requests concerning the reasons for doing actions that are commonly performed in routine activities. It describes two types of categories—action categories and reason categories. Any simple system with a small number of discrete categories quickly breaks down in the face of many responses that cross category boundaries. Actions high in centrality and distinctiveness were given reasons indicating that the actions are a necessary part of doing the activity.
