Sociology
The Role of Alibis in the Social Construction of Suspicion
Quick fact
An alibi only works if it is accepted by the audience; it is not the truth that matters, but the social credibility of the person telling it—and that credibility is often influenced by race, class, and social networks.
Why this is interesting
You’re late for a meeting and your excuse is met with a nod—but when someone else gives the same excuse, it’s met with a raised eyebrow. Why?