Ryan
Social Control Spring 2006 
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Ryan
Social Control Spring 2006
|
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| Apology |
| Black
says that conciliatory social control is that which focuses on
repairing relationships. Apology, which is associated with
atonement, contrition, mercy, reconciliation, and pardon, to name just
a few, is a reaction to rule breaking, but it is different from the
reactions we have talked about before. It is, primarily first
person (though it can be demanded by second parties or required by
third parties). It is important, it seems, in allowing the social
world to continue after a norm is violated. Unlike other forms of
social control it is primarily discursive and non-material. Today
we'll try to come to an understanding of how apologies work, why they
are important, and when they tend to be employed in response to rule
violations. |