This is one of the most pernicious ways that women control social dynamics. My mother used to do this while I was growing up (not necessarily to me, but to the people in the family/social circle). It always made me extremely uncomfortable. I didn't realize what was going on until I was older and moved away. Then I noticed almost all women do this.

Here are the stages of manipulation:

1) Get called out for bullshit
2) Get upset, cry, and withdraw, making sure everyone in the family/social group is aware
3) Create a rift in the family/social group, making everyone uncomfortable
4) Tearfully extend an olive branch and apologize for upset behavior
5) Reconciliation and return to the status quo, giving relief to the family/social group
6) Bullshit that was orginially called out isn't addressed and gets ignored