After grocery shopping one Sunday afternoon, Jason accidentally hits another car while backing out of his parking space. The owner of the car is extremely angry, and threatens to sue Jason; even though the lawsuit is unfair, Jason would lose more money than he can afford in hiring a lawyer to defend himself. Jason is embarrassed, and apologizes genuinely and profusely. As a result, the other car's owner calms down, and agrees to simply exchange insurance information instead of filing a lawsuit. In this example, the effect of Jason's embarrassment illustrates:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jason's embarrassment and apology serve an interpersonal function by influencing the other person's emotions and behavior, leading to a resolution without a lawsuit.

After Grocery Shopping One Sunday Afternoon, Jason Accidentally Hits Another