# Meaning-making conversation ## Short definition Meaning-making conversation is a systemic method for exploring how people create, interpret and change meanings around events, relationships, problems and possibilities. ## Level [[LEVEL 3 — METHODS]] ## Expanded definition Meaning-making conversation focuses on how meanings are formed and sustained in relationship. In CMM and social constructionist practice, meaning is not treated as fixed or purely individual. Meanings are created through language, context, culture, history, relationship and response. This method helps people examine the meanings they have given to events and how those meanings shape what they do next. It is especially useful when people are caught in narrow or painful interpretations, or when different people hold very different meanings about the same situation. Meaning-making conversation does not aim to impose a correct meaning. It opens space for reflection, difference and new understanding. ## Purpose of this method The purpose of this method is to help people become more aware of the meanings shaping their responses. It supports curiosity about interpretation and helps people consider whether other meanings might be possible. When meanings shift, actions and relationships may also shift. ## When to use this method Use this method when: - people are stuck in a painful interpretation - the same event carries different meanings for different people - a problem is organised by a narrow story - the therapist wants to explore context and interpretation - people are ready to consider alternative meanings - new meanings could support repair or change ## How this method works The therapist begins with a specific event, phrase, behaviour or problem description. Each person is invited to describe what it means to them. The conversation explores where that meaning came from, what supports it, what effects it has, and whether other meanings are possible. The therapist may ask about personal history, relationship history, culture, family scripts, social context and professional meanings. The method moves toward meanings that are more useful, respectful and connected to preferred values. ## Non-clinical example A friend cancels plans. One person makes the meaning "I am not important." A meaning-making conversation explores what else the cancellation could mean, what past experiences shape the interpretation, and what conversation might clarify the meaning. ## Clinical example A parent understands a young person's silence as disrespect. The young person understands silence as avoiding escalation. The therapist helps the family explore both meanings and consider a new shared meaning: silence may be an attempt to stay safe, even if it also creates distance. ## Step-by-step process 1. Identify the event, communication or problem description. 2. Ask what meaning each person gives to it. 3. Explore where the meaning came from. 4. Notice the effects of the current meaning. 5. Ask who else supports or challenges the meaning. 6. Explore cultural, relational and historical contexts. 7. Consider alternative meanings. 8. Evaluate which meanings are more useful or respectful. 9. Connect preferred meanings to possible actions. 10. Review whether the new meaning changes the pattern. ## Questions before using this method - What meaning is organising this problem? - Who holds which meanings? - What context shaped those meanings? - Are meanings being treated as facts? - What alternative meanings might be possible? - How can I avoid imposing my own interpretation? ## Questions during use - What does this mean to you? - When did it start meaning that? - What tells you that this is the meaning? - Could it mean anything else? - What meaning does the other person give it? - What meaning would be more useful to live from? ## Questions after use - What meanings became visible? - Did any meaning soften, widen or change? - Did people understand each other differently? - What action did the new meaning invite? - What meaning still needs further exploration? - Did my questions privilege one meaning too strongly? ## Related epistemologies [[CMM epistemology]] [[Social constructionism]] [[Relational epistemology]] [[Communication epistemology]] [[Contextual epistemology]] ## Related schools and models [[CMM]] [[Systemic Therapy]] [[Narrative Therapy]] [[Collaborative Therapy]] [[Conversational]] ## Related concepts [[Meaning-making]] [[Coordinating meaning]] [[Context]] [[Cultural patterns]] [[Relational meaning systems]] [[Social worlds]] [[Language games]] [[Family scripts]] ## Related techniques [[Meaning questions]] [[Context questions]] [[Metacommunication questions]] [[Positioning questions]] [[Stories lived vs stories told questions]] ## Related pathways [[CMM pathway]] [[Narrative pathway]] [[Conversational pathway]] ## Key theorists / contributors [[Barnett Pearce]] [[Vernon Cronen]] [[Kenneth Gergen]] [[Sheila McNamee]] [[Harlene Anderson]] [[John Shotter]] ## Key texts / references - Pearce, W. B. (2007). *Making Social Worlds: A Communication Perspective*. Blackwell. - Pearce, W. B., & Cronen, V. E. (1980). *Communication, Action, and Meaning: The Creation of Social Realities*. Praeger. - Gergen, K. J. (1999). *An Invitation to Social Construction*. Sage. - Anderson, H. (1997). *Conversation, Language, and Possibilities*. Basic Books. ## Notes / source material Meaning-making conversation is useful when the problem is partly sustained by the meaning given to events. It helps people consider whether other meanings could create different relational possibilities.