ABSTRACT
The notion of “goals” is typically conceived of cognitively as that which leads to the formation of plans or strategies to achieve desired ends. This formulation may be said to represent the commonsense view, as well as an oversimplified version of some social scientific accounts (Bilmes, 1986). Here, we examine goals in a somewhat different fashion. Instead of conceiving of goals cognitively, as that which drives action, we look at how goals are used as social objects in conversation. Given the fact that persons explicitly or implicitly communicate their goals to others, what interactional consequences does the presentation of goals have for participants? In particular, we examine the use of goals during a couple-therapy consultation. Goals are constitutive of the problem-blame-solution structure of therapy. In telling problems, ascribing responsibility, and proposing solutions, clients and therapists alike are implying goals and ways to achieve those goals.
