Are Explicit Apologies Proportional to the Offenses They Address?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heritage, John; Raymond, Chase Wesley
• Is Part Of: Discourse processes. Volume 53:Issue 1/2(2016)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 25
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Discourse analysis -- Periodicals; 401.41
• DOI: 10.1080/0163853X.2015.1056695
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-853X

Abstract

Abstract : We consider here Goffman's proposal of proportionality between virtual offenses and remedial actions, based on the examination of 102 cases of explicit apologies. To this end, we offer a typology of the primary apology formats within the dataset, together with a broad categorization of the types of virtual offenses to which these apologies are addressed. We find a broad proportionality between apologies and the offenses they remediate when the offenses to be remediated are minor; however, this relationship is not sustained among larger apologies and offenses. In the latter cases, relational and contextual contingencies are important intervening factors influencing apology construction.