Drawing on social approval as a linguistic strategy: A discourse semantic analysis of judgement evaluation in suspected online romance scammer dating profiles

Lee, KF ; Chan, MY ; Ali, Afida Mohamad (2024) — Psychology of Language and Communication

DOI: 10.58734/plc-2024-0008

Synopsis

This study examines the role of social approval as a linguistic resource in the construction of judgement within suspected online romance scammer dating profiles. Located in the field Psychology of Language and Communication, the work investigates how evaluative language signals alignment with social norms, acceptance, and credibility. The central premise is that profile authors influence readers’ judgments by drawing on socially favorable frames—appearing trustworthy, likable, and approved by an imagined audience. The analysis treats social approval as a discourse strategy that shapes perceived sincerity, intent, and relational stance. The scope covers linguistic means by which approval is invoked, including evaluative adjectives, modal markers, and pronouns, and how these choices function in discursive positioning of self and others. Methodologically, the work applies a discourse-semantic analytic lens to profile text to identify patterns of judgement-related expression. It describes how lexical choices encode assessments of character, reliability, and social fit, and how these signals may influence reader interpretation in online dating contexts. The catalog-style presentation renders the findings in terms of category, function, and potential impact on impression formation, with attention to how strategies of social approval intersect with deception narratives often associated with romance-scam discourse. The discussion situates the analysis within broader questions about language, affect, and credibility in digital interaction, and notes implications for researchers, practitioners, and platforms seeking to understand persuasive tactics and reader susceptibility in online dating environments.

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