Sorry, Not Sorry: The Effect of Social Power on Transgressors' Apology and Nonapology

The current research investigated the role of transgressors' social power on their motivation to apologize or not. Based on power approach theory (Kellner et al.. 2003), we predicted that high-power transgressors would be less motivated to apologize and more motivated to engage in nonapology (e.g., shifting blame, minimizing the transgression) than their low-power counterparts. We further predicted that the relation between social power and apology and nonapology would be explained by transgressors' self-other focus. Four multimethod (nonexperimental, experimental), multisample (community, undergraduate) studies supported our predictions. Results are discussed within the context of the extant social motivation literature and applied implications.