Which type of analysis examines the nature of talk and text as part of social interaction?

Discourse analysis is the correct choice because it specifically focuses on how language is used in social contexts. This method examines not just the content of talk and text but also how they function within social interactions. It looks at communication as a form of social practice, analyzing how meaning is constructed, conveyed, and understood through dialogue and textual materials.

This approach is particularly valuable in psychology and other social sciences because it emphasizes the complexities of communication and the social dynamics at play. By exploring how individuals articulate their experiences and interact with one another, discourse analysis can provide insights into social norms, power relations, and cultural contexts inherent in everyday language use.

In contrast, thematic analysis primarily identifies and analyzes themes across qualitative data but doesn't delve as deeply into the nuances of language in social interaction. Rhetoric involves the art of persuasion and the study of effective communication but is less focused on the social constructs of language. Symbolic interactionism is a sociological framework that explores how individuals create meaning through social interactions and symbols, but it does not focus specifically on the analysis of language itself. Thus, discourse analysis remains the most appropriate choice for examining the nature of talk and text as part of social interaction.