Shared affective stance displays as preliminary to complaining

Abstract

<p>In this chapter, we examine how vocal and non-vocal affective displays are enacted in concert when moving into the delicate action of complaining. We specifically analyze complaining about third parties in the institutional situation of performance appraisal interviews. Reciprocal affective displays contribute to the organization of the activity of complaining, specifically, to the building of joint understanding in relation to the appropriateness of complaining activity and the relevancy of affiliating with complaining. To finish, we discuss the role of affective displays as managing social relational aspects of institutional interaction, with some methodological problems of analyzing emotion in interaction.</p>