Absent Apologies

Apologies and Settlement Jennifer

Footnotes 1. See generally NICHOLAS TAVUCHIS, MEA CULPA: A SOCIOLOGY OF APOLOGY AND RECONCILIATION (1991). 2. It is worth noting that, empirically, it is not clear whether, under what circumstances, or to what degree an apology might alter the risk of an adverse liability determination. Whether apologies influence liability decision making in civil cases has not been examined in empirical studi...

No need for apologies.

The expansion of access to antiretroviral therapy for millions of persons living with HIV in low-income countries has been lauded by many. However, the investment in such programs has at the same time been criticized by others, who claim diversion of resources from HIV prevention efforts and from other important health threats in these same countries. Yet, the time is right to recommit to the g...

Apologies and Settlement

On the acceptance of apologies

An apology is a strong and cheap device to restore social or economic relationships that have been disturbed. In a laboratory experiment in which apologies emerge endogenously, we find that harmdoers use apologies in particular if they fear punishment and if their intentions cannot be easily inferred. After offenses with ambiguous intention apologizers are punished less often than non-apologize...

Government Apologies for Historical Injustices

Scholars from various disciplines suggest that government apologies for historical injustices fulfill important psychological goals. After reviewing psychological literature that contributes to this discussion, we present a list of elements that political apologies should contain to be acceptable to both members of the victimized minority and the nonvictimized majority. Content coding of a list...