Suspicious Receivers’ Goals and Behaviors 21
Suspicious receivers were also found to have relationship protection goals. Considering
the partner’s feeling, avoiding negative evaluation, respecting the partner’s autonomy, and the
willingness to continue the relationship were the interaction goals related to one’s desire to
protect the current relationship with the partner. Given the insufficient legitimacy to directly
display one’s suspicion, it seems that relationship protection goals with the functions of face
protection and relational harmony maintenance become salient on a suspicious receiver’s mind.
The finding of relationship protection goals in the context of suspicion is accordant with the
findings in other research areas (i.e., taboo topics and social confrontation). When the
confrontation has a potential to threaten the partner’s face needs, the topic is likely to be avoided
(Baxter & Wilmot, 1985; Roloff & Johnson, 2001). Similarly, if the confrontation is risky due to
its illegitimacy, individuals are known to weigh the negative consequences against the benefits of
their action before initiating a confrontation with the partner (Stutman & Newell, 1990).
The interaction goals of a suspicious receiver found in this study converge with the
traditional interaction goal typology suggested by Clark and Delia (1979). It is reasoned that the
most fundamental issues present in every interaction concern the issues of identity and
relationship as well as the direct instrumental goal to influence others (Canary & Cody, 1994;
Clark & Delia, 1979). The present study has found that suspicious receivers wanted to know the
truth and alter the partner’s behaviors, and had a desire to present what they think and feel, but at
the same time were concerned about potential relational damages that suspicion display might
produce.
In terms of a suspicious receiver’s strategic behaviors, seven behavioral strategies were
identified in this study. Berger and Kellermann’s (1994) classification of passive, active, and
interactive strategies were found to fit well in the discussion. According to the findings,
individuals seem to handle their suspicion mostly in interactions with their partner. Directly
Convention