Your Name(s):
PSYC 110 Section(s):
Social Norms Exercise (15 Points)
Social norms are unwritten rules that we live by in social settings (i.e., socially normal behaviors). For example, when studying in the library you sit in a chair and at a table, not under the table. (Note: We did this for fun in high school and actually drove a teacher to retire.)
Working with one or two students, identify a social norm that people conform to and then violate it. Examples: get on an elevator and face backward; use an umbrella on a sunny day; wear formal attire while working-out; wear sunglasses while reading in the darkest part of the library. Optimally, each member of your group will violate the same social norm at a different time, while the other members gauge other people’s responses. That is, what did people say, do, what expressions did they make, etc.
IMPORTANT: Do not do anything illegal, unethical, embarrassing to you, the university or others, or anything that interferes with peoples’ lives. The socially abnormal behavior should be simple and unobtrusive, but something that will be noticed. You can’t walk around nude, assault someone, or deface property. Have fun with this assignment and use judgment. If you have questions, ask me first!
Also, “a picture’s worth a thousand words”. If you want, take a picture violating the norm, then copy and paste it in your submission. (Note to self: This should be interesting.)
Use your experiences violating the social norm to answer the questions below:
1) What socially abnormal behavior did you choose?
2) Why should this be considered a socially abnormal behavior?
3) Where/when did you violate this social norm? (List for each member of your group)
4) Approximately how many people were witnesses to this behavior?
5) What were peoples’ reactions to this behavior? Use specific examples, and also make some generalizations.
6) What were your own feelings and experiences while engaging in this socially abnormal behavior?
7) Why do you think this became a social norm? (Brainstorm here.)