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ILEIID 2025 | International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)

ISSN: 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS

Special Issue | Volume IX Issue XXIV October 2025

An Analysis of Politeness Strategies Used in the Grey’s Anatomy

Series of Season 1

Jessy James Radin,

Muhammad Haziq Abd Rashid*,

Hairul Azhar Mohamad,

Pavithran Ravinthra

Nath,

Amir Lukman Abd Rahman,

Venny Karolina

1,2,3,4,5

Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Tanjungpura Kalimantan (UNTAN) Pontianak

*Corresponding Author

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.924ILEIID0088

Received: 23 September 2025; Accepted: 30 September 2025; Published: 01 November 2025

ABSTRACT

This study analyses politeness strategies used in the first season of Grey’s Anatomy. The study seeks to

identify the types of politeness strategies, the factors that influence the use of politeness strategies, and explore

the underlying reasons and motivations for the use of different politeness strategies in specific interactions in

the Grey’s Anatomy series of the first season in different episodes by employing Brown & Levinson's

politeness strategies theory (1987). The design of the study used a qualitative content analysis where selected

excerpts were extracted from different episodes of the first season available on Netflix. Nevertheless, it is

important to state that this research has several limitations. This study only covers one season of Grey’s

Anatomy, which may mean that advances in character development are not entirely explored and

generalisations may be restricted. The qualitative analysis is more of an interpretation and can be biased,

although a comprehensive evaluation can be done to overcome these drawbacks. The study suggests that

further studies should be conducted under this topic’s study for a better understanding of the relationship

between the types, factors, and most used politeness strategies.

Keywords: Brown & Levinson’s politeness strategies, Grey’s Anatomy, TV Series

INTRODUCTION

Politeness is a fundamental aspect of human communication, shaping how individuals maintain social

harmony and manage interpersonal relationships. Within the field of pragmatics, politeness is understood as a

strategy to preserve the interlocutor’s “face” and mitigate potential threats during interaction (Yule, 1996;

Herman, 2019). Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory categorises these strategies into four types:

positive politeness, negative politeness, bald-on-record, and off-record. These strategies are not only evident in

real-life conversations but also in scripted dialogues, where they reflect social norms and cultural values.

Television series, as cultural artefacts, provide a rich context for examining how politeness strategies are

represented and interpreted. This study focuses on Grey’s Anatomy Season 1, a medical drama renowned for

its complex character dynamics and hierarchical settings, to explore how politeness strategies are employed in

high-stakes professional and personal interactions.

Previous research has extensively examined politeness strategies in educational, conversational, and media

contexts (Sari et al., 2015; Ayuningtyas, 2012; Indahsari & Surjowati, 2021). However, there remains a notable

gap in studies addressing how these strategies are portrayed in television series, particularly in long-running

dramas where character development and social hierarchies evolve over time (Culpeper & Olateju, 2020).

Grey’s Anatomy, as one of the longest-running medical dramas, offers a unique opportunity to investigate these

strategies within a narrative that blends professional urgency with personal relationships. Analysing Season 1

provides a foundational perspective on how politeness strategies are introduced and negotiated among

characters in a high-pressure environment. This research aims to bridge the gap by examining the types of

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ILEIID 2025 | International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)

ISSN: 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS

Special Issue | Volume IX Issue XXIV October 2025

politeness strategies used, the factors influencing their application, and the motivations underlying their use in

specific interactions.

The purpose of this study is to analyse the representation and function of politeness strategies in Grey’s

Anatomy Season 1, focusing on their role in shaping character relationships and reflecting social hierarchies.

The analysis is grounded in Brown and Levinson’s (1987) framework and employs qualitative content analysis

of selected excerpts from the series. Based on this aim, the study addresses the following research questions:

What are the types of politeness strategies used by the characters?

What factors influence the use of politeness strategies by the characters?

What are the underlying reasons and motivations for the use of different politeness strategies in specific

interactions?

LITERATURE REVIEW

Theoretical Framework

Figure 1: The Theoretical Framework Used for This Study

Politeness strategies are rooted in the field of pragmatics, which studies how meaning is conveyed and

interpreted in social interaction. Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory remains the most influential

framework in this area. Their model introduces the concept of “face,” referring to an individual’s self-image,

and categorises politeness strategies into four types: positive politeness, negative politeness, bald-on-record,

and off-record. These strategies are employed to mitigate face-threatening acts and maintain social harmony.

Positive politeness seeks to strengthen solidarity, while negative politeness respects autonomy and minimises

imposition. Bald-on-record strategies prioritise clarity and efficiency, often in urgent contexts, whereas off-

record strategies rely on indirectness and ambiguity (Brown & Levinson, 1987). Despite its wide application,

the theory has faced criticism for its claim of universality, as cultural variations influence politeness norms

(Al-Duleimi et al., 2016; Al-Hindawi & Alkhazaali, 2016). Nevertheless, its detailed sociological variables;

power, distance, and imposition, make it suitable for analysing scripted dialogues in media.

Brown and Levinson’s framework is complemented by earlier contributions such as Lakoff’s (1973) Politeness

Principle, which emphasises reducing conflict through strategies like deference and camaraderie. However,

Lakoff’s model has been criticised for its lack of cultural specificity and conceptual clarity (Reiter, 2000). In

contrast, Brown and Levinson’s theory provides a more systematic approach, incorporating sociological factors

that influence language use. These elements are particularly relevant in hierarchical and high-stakes

environments, such as hospitals, where communication must balance authority, urgency, and interpersonal

sensitivity. This theoretical foundation underpins the present study, guiding the identification and interpretation

of politeness strategies in Grey’s Anatomy Season 1.

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Politeness Strategies

Politeness strategies serve as mechanisms for managing interpersonal relationships and mitigating potential

conflict during interaction. Positive politeness strategies aim to enhance the hearer’s positive face by

expressing solidarity, offering compliments, or showing interest (Brown & Levinson, 1987). For example,

characters may use humour or informal language to create rapport in less hierarchical contexts. Negative

politeness strategies, on the other hand, prioritise the hearer’s autonomy and minimise imposition through

indirectness, hedging, or apologetic language. These strategies are common in professional settings where

respect for authority and social distance is essential. Bald-on-record strategies involve direct, unmitigated

speech acts, typically employed in urgent situations where clarity outweighs politeness. Conversely, off-record

strategies rely on hints, ambiguity, or figurative language, allowing the speaker to avoid explicit responsibility

for the act.

The selection of these strategies is influenced by contextual factors such as power relations, social distance,

and the ranking of imposition (Brown & Levinson, 1987). For instance, subordinates often employ negative

politeness when addressing superiors, while authority figures may use bald-on-record strategies to assert

control in high-pressure scenarios. These dynamics are evident in media narratives, where scripted dialogues

mirror real-life communication patterns. Understanding these strategies provides insight into how language

constructs social relationships and reflects cultural norms, making them a critical focus for this study.

Politeness Strategies in Television Series

Television series offer a valuable context for examining politeness strategies, as they depict diverse social

interactions within structured narratives. Previous studies have explored how politeness operates in popular

sitcoms and dramas, revealing its role in shaping character relationships and audience perceptions (Rongrong,

2020; Khosravizadeh et al., 2017). For example, research on Friends and The Big Bang Theory found that

gender and personality influence the choice of strategies, with male characters often favouring directness and

female characters employing positive politeness to maintain rapport. Similarly, studies on How I Met Your

Mother highlighted the use of negative politeness to manage conflicts and preserve social harmony. These

findings underscore the adaptability of politeness strategies across genres and cultural contexts.

In the context of Grey’s Anatomy, politeness strategies are particularly significant due to the interplay of

professional hierarchy, emotional intensity, and cultural diversity. The series portrays interactions in a high-

stakes medical environment, where communication must balance authority, empathy, and efficiency. This

makes it an ideal case for analysing how politeness strategies function in complex social settings. Moreover,

television narratives can influence viewers’ perceptions of communication norms, reinforcing or challenging

societal expectations (Gerbner, 1980; Sitti et al., 2022). By examining politeness strategies in Grey’s Anatomy

Season 1, this study contributes to understanding how media representations shape and reflect real-world

communicative practices.

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study adopts a qualitative research design, specifically content analysis, to examine politeness strategies

in Grey’s Anatomy Season 1. Qualitative content analysis enables systematic interpretation of textual data by

identifying patterns, themes, and meanings beyond mere word counts (Hsieh & Shannon, 2019; Schreier,

2019). This approach is suitable for exploring how politeness strategies are embedded in scripted dialogues, as

it allows for contextual interpretation of language use within social and professional settings. The analysis is

grounded in Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory, which provides a framework for categorising

strategies into positive politeness, negative politeness, bald-on-record, and off-record. This design facilitates an

in-depth understanding of how these strategies function in hierarchical and emotionally charged environments,

such as those portrayed in the series. The study focuses on identifying the types of strategies used, the factors

influencing their selection, and the motivations underlying their application in specific interactions.

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Data Collection and Sampling

Figure 2: The Research Flow Chart

The data for this study were drawn from selected excerpts of Grey’s Anatomy Season 1, available on Netflix. A

purposive sampling method was employed to ensure that the chosen scenes represented diverse social contexts,

character hierarchies, and clear examples of politeness strategies (Shaheen et al., 2019). Four excerpts from

different episodes were selected based on their relevance to the research objectives, particularly interactions

that illustrate variations in power dynamics and emotional intensity. The dialogues were transcribed using AI-

based transcription tools and subsequently validated by a language expert to ensure accuracy. This process

enhanced the reliability of the transcripts and minimised potential errors. The sampling criteria included the

presence of face-threatening acts, hierarchical relationships, and conversational exchanges that reflect the use

of politeness strategies. This targeted approach ensured that the data captured the complexity of

communication within the series’ professional and personal settings.

Data Analysis and Validation

The analysis involved coding the transcribed dialogues according to Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness

strategies framework. Each excerpt was examined to identify the type of strategy employed, the contextual

factors influencing its use, and the underlying motivations. The coding process was iterative, allowing for

refinement of categories as patterns emerged. To enhance validity, the analysis was cross-checked with

previous studies and reviewed by experts in pragmatics. Reliability was further ensured through peer

discussions and supervisor feedback, which helped confirm the consistency of interpretations. The study

acknowledges the limitations of qualitative analysis, including potential researcher bias; however, these were

mitigated through triangulation and expert validation (Maxwell, 2019; Noble & Smith, 2015). This rigorous

analytical process provided a comprehensive understanding of how politeness strategies operate within the

narrative structure of Grey’s Anatomy, offering insights into their role in shaping character interactions and

reflecting social norms

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Demographic Overview

The data for this study were derived from four selected excerpts across different episodes of Grey’s Anatomy

Season 1. These excerpts were chosen to represent varied social contexts, hierarchical relationships, and

emotional intensities within the hospital setting. The characters involved include senior surgeons such as Dr.

Bailey, Dr. Burke, and Dr. Webber, alongside interns like Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, George O’Malley, and

Izzie Stevens. This diversity allowed the analysis to capture a wide range of politeness strategies influenced by

factors such as authority, urgency, and interpersonal dynamics. The interactions examined occur in both

professional and informal contexts, reflecting the dual nature of relationships in the series. By focusing on

these dialogues, the study provides insights into how politeness strategies are adapted to maintain professional

decorum while negotiating personal connections in a high-stakes environment.

Types of Politeness Strategies

The analysis revealed that all four politeness strategies proposed by Brown and Levinson (1987) were present

in the selected excerpts: positive politeness, negative politeness, bald-on-record, and off-record. Positive

politeness was frequently employed to build rapport and reduce social distance, as seen in Derek’s

compliments to Meredith, which fostered trust and solidarity. Negative politeness appeared in hierarchical

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interactions, where interns used indirect language and hedging to show deference to superiors, such as

Meredith’s cautious phrasing when addressing Dr. Bailey. Bald-on-record strategies were dominant in urgent

or authoritative contexts, particularly in Dr. Bailey’s direct instructions to interns during high-pressure

situations. Off-record strategies, often involving humour or ambiguity, were used to soften sensitive topics, as

illustrated by Derek’s playful remarks to Meredith. These findings indicate that the choice of strategy is

context-dependent, reflecting the interplay between relational goals and situational demands.

Factors Influencing Strategy Use

The selection of politeness strategies was strongly influenced by three sociological variables identified by

Brown and Levinson (1987): power, social distance, and ranking of imposition. Power dynamics were evident

in the authoritative tone of senior surgeons, who frequently employed bald-on-record strategies to assert

control and ensure efficiency. Conversely, interns demonstrated negative politeness to acknowledge

hierarchical boundaries and avoid face-threatening acts. Social distance also shaped communication, with

closer relationships encouraging positive politeness through humour and informal language, while distant or

formal relationships prompted more cautious and deferential speech. The ranking of imposition further

affected strategy choice, as requests involving significant effort or responsibility were mitigated through

indirectness and hedging. These findings align with previous studies that emphasise the role of contextual

factors in determining politeness behaviour (Hutahauan et al., 2021).

Underlying Motivations

The motivations behind the use of politeness strategies were linked to relational management, professional

obligations, and emotional regulation. Positive politeness was often employed to strengthen interpersonal

bonds and create a supportive environment, particularly in emotionally charged situations. Negative politeness

served to maintain professionalism and respect hierarchical norms, reducing the risk of conflict in sensitive

interactions. Bald-on-record strategies prioritised clarity and urgency, reflecting the high-stakes nature of

medical settings where efficiency can be life-saving. Off-record strategies allowed characters to address

delicate issues indirectly, preserving harmony and avoiding confrontation. These motivations demonstrate the

adaptability of politeness strategies in balancing task-oriented goals with relational considerations. The

findings underscore the relevance of Brown and Levinson’s framework in explaining how language choices are

shaped by both social structures and individual intentions within fictional yet realistic contexts

CONCLUSION

This study examined the use of politeness strategies in Grey’s Anatomy Season 1 through the lens of Brown

and Levinson’s (1987) framework. The analysis identified four main strategies: positive politeness, negative

politeness, bald-on-record, and off-record. Positive politeness was frequently used to foster rapport and

solidarity, while negative politeness appeared in hierarchical interactions to maintain respect and minimise

imposition. Bald-on-record strategies were dominant in urgent or authoritative contexts, reflecting the high-

pressure nature of medical settings, whereas off-record strategies were employed to address sensitive topics

indirectly. These findings demonstrate that politeness strategies are context-dependent and influenced by social

roles, situational urgency, and relational goals. The study confirms the applicability of Brown and Levinson’s

theory in scripted media, highlighting how fictional dialogues mirror real-life communication patterns in

professional and personal domains.

The findings also revealed that the choice of politeness strategies is shaped by three key factors: power, social

distance, and ranking of imposition. Authority figures such as senior surgeons often used direct and

unmitigated speech to assert control, while interns relied on indirectness and hedging to show deference.

Social distance influenced the degree of formality, with closer relationships encouraging humour and

informality, and distant relationships prompting more cautious language. The ranking of imposition determined

the level of mitigation applied to requests or directives. These patterns align with previous research on

politeness in media and real-life contexts (Hutahauan et al., 2021), reinforcing the role of sociological

variables in shaping communicative behaviour. The study underscores the adaptability of politeness strategies

in balancing efficiency, authority, and interpersonal sensitivity within complex social environments.

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Special Issue | Volume IX Issue XXIV October 2025

This research contributes to the understanding of how politeness strategies function in media narratives and

their potential influence on audience perceptions of communication norms. By analysing a popular television

series, the study bridges the gap between linguistic theory and media representation, offering insights into the

interplay between language, power, and culture. However, the study is limited to one season of Grey’s

Anatomy and relies on qualitative interpretation, which may restrict generalisability. Future research could

extend the analysis to additional seasons or explore audience interpretations of politeness strategies in media.

Despite these limitations, the findings provide a valuable reference for scholars in pragmatics and media

studies, as well as for content creators seeking to portray authentic and socially nuanced interactions in

scripted narratives.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone involved throughout the course of this research.

Our appreciation also extends to our families and peers for their encouragement and understanding during this

academic endeavour. Finally, we acknowledge the resources and assistance provided by our institution, which

were essential in completing this study successfully.

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