IDENTITY IMPLICATIONS OF INFLUENCE GOALS - A REVISED ANALYSIS OF FACE-THREATENING ACTS AND APPLICATION TO SEEKING COMPLIANCE WITH SAME-SEX FRIENDS

Although politeness theory offers one explanation for how threats to f ace arise during compliance-gaining episodes, if neither predicts the conditions under which seeking compliance will create multiple face th reats nor explains how such threats arise within specific contexts. Th e authors challenge and revise politeness theory by analyzing potentia l implications for both parties' face when the logical preconditions f or seeking compliance are framed by specific influence goals. In a tes t of a revised analysis efface threats, young adults imagined asking f avors, giving advice, and enforcing obligations with same-sex friends. Perceived face threats, interaction goals, and message qualities vari ed substantially across compliance-gaining situations defined by these goals. Directions for exploring the identity implications of influenc e goals across relationships and cultures are discussed.