After reading the attached classical statement by Scott and Lyman, address the differences between excuses and justifications and discuss which ones are most often used in American society. Remember...

After reading the attached classical statement by Scott and Lyman, address the differences between excuses and justifications and discuss which ones are most often used in American society.  Remember that in dramaturgy, something introduced into the drama of sociology life need not be "true", but it has to be an acceptable account.  For example, a common excuse for conduct in question is an appeal to the body "I was sick"  Scott and Lyman mention many other accounting practices as well.