ABSTRACT
The emergence and development of argumentation skills in interpersonal conflict situations are the focus of this study. The mental structures used to understand arguments are related to those used to understand social conflict and goal-directed action. The desire to maintain or dissolve a relationship, to persuade, and to understand a position operate throughout interpersonal arguments. The ability to understand an argument is claimed to emerge early in development. The conditions that prevent greater understanding of the opposition from developing are discussed. The ways in which biases and limited understanding can be overcome are also considered. The evaluation and regulation of social relationships is always present in arguments. An arguer may believe that maintaining a relationship with an opponent is more important than his or her own stance. Children's ability to articulate their positions and reasons is also evident in studies carried out on peer conflicts.
