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Article published In: Pragmatics and Society
Vol. 7:2 (2016) ► pp.265–290

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Rituals of outspokenness and verbal conflict

 | University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom
 | University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom
Published online: 16 June 2016
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https://doi.org/10.1075/ps.7.2.05kad
This study examines rituals of outspokenness, by analysing cases drawn from the US hidden camera show, Primetime: What Would You Do? Studying ritualistic behaviour in cases when bystanders become side participants as they stand up for victims of abuse fills a knowledge gap in pragmatics. A further merit of studying this phenomenon is that it provides insight into the reactive aspect of ritual behaviour, which is usually described in the field as a form of action rather than reaction. Furthermore, examining the morally loaded acts of rituals of outspokenness reveals the potentially complex relationship between aggression and normative behaviour.
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