A Cognitive-Pragmatic Analysis of Behaviour Strategies Used in a Selected English TV Talk Show: A Case Study of Piers Morgan

Abstract

This paper is entitled A Cognitive–Pragmatic Analysis of Behaviour Strategies Used in a Selected English TV Talk Show: A Case Study of Piers Morgan. Behaviour strategies play a central role in shaping the interaction within the talk show; therefore, the researchers adopt Bruno Bara’s Behaviour Games model to examine these strategies from a cognitive–pragmatic perspective. The study sets out several key objectives. First, to investigate whether all elements of behaviour strategies are employed throughout the conversation. Second, to explore how nonverbal behaviour—such as laughter and applause—function cognitively in maintaining conversational dynamics. Third, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the cognitive behavioural strategies exhibited by the guest. A qualitative approach was employed to guide the research process. Following the analysis of the selected English TV talk show, the researchers concluded that all components of behaviour strategies were present during the interaction. Nonverbal behaviour, particularly laughter and applause, play significant cognitive and pragmatic roles in sustaining the flow and rhythm of the conversation. Applause, in particular, serves as a form of social feedback, conveying appreciation, acceptance, or approval. The significance of this study lies in its novel application of Bruno Bara’s Behaviour Games model, grounded in his theory Cognitive Pragmatics: The Mental States of Communication. To date, this framework has not been applied to a cognitively pragmatic analysis of English-language talk shows, marking this research as a unique contribution to the field.