A closer look at explanations in refusals: themes, attributions, and contexts

Abstract This study investigates the complex role of explanations in refusal strategies, focusing specifically on the themes, attributional dimensions, and contextual variations in Chinese speakers’ refusal explanations. Despite their prevalence and recognized importance in refusal research, explanations have often been analyzed as a uniform strategy without exploring their internal variations or underlying logic. Drawing on attribution theory and rapport management frameworks, this study systematically examines how individuals attribute causes for their refusals along dimensions of locus (internal vs. external) and controllability (controllable vs. uncontrollable). Data from 100 Chinese university students were elicited through discourse completion tasks across varied contexts of power and social distance. The findings reveal eight recurring thematic categories of refusal explanations and four attributional patterns: internal-controllable, internal-uncontrollable, external-uncontrollable, and vague reasons. Notably, participants predominantly employed uncontrollable attributions to mitigate accountability and rapport threats. Attributional patterns also varied significantly with relational contexts, showing that participants strategically adapt their explanatory framing to interactional demands, particularly concerning refusees’ power and social distance. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of refusals by integrating attribution theory, rapport, and accountability within pragmatics, providing fresh analytical insights and a foundational framework for future research exploring refusal discourses.