...The social norm I chose to violate was the expectancy to pay after you go out to eat. After a meal at three different places with my boyfriend, when handed the check, I asked, “I actually don’t think I can afford this meal, can we just have it?” I decided to do this because I’ve been a service worker before and I know that I would not have known how to respond to it. The places I ate at elicited all different responses from the person I asked the question to. I ate at the Ankeny Diner, Latin King, and Perkins. The first place I ate at, the Ankeny Diner, is a small diner in my hometown. Me and my boyfriend eat there often, and we happened to know our waitress because of this. When I received the check and sprung this line on her, her face immediately...
Words: 941 - Pages: 4
...Amy Morris Society in general is use to things going the same way as usual. When something changes or disrupts this, people sometimes to not know how to act or understand the change. People have their own rules and moralities to live up to. Everyone understands that, even if it is not said, it is understood. When someone else breaks those, he or she is looked at differently. As if he or she has done something wrong. Even though there are different cultures, there are basic standards that everyone lives by. If there were no standards, then society would not be able to be maintained correctly. People have freedoms and liberty, but they know their limits. To have these social norms help us to live comfortably in a society together. I decided to break the norm by standing up the whole time in my history class, even though there were plenty of seats available. First of all I discussed it with my teacher, so he would understand what I was doing. Except I told him that I did not want anyone knowing about it. I entered the classroom, then sat my things at my desk, and then stood up with my notebook and pen. When the teacher came into the room and put up our notes to copy, I started writing. Which, by the way, was very difficult. More students began entering the classroom, their responses to what I was doing at first, were just weird looks. I did not mind the looks, because I was laughing on the inside. It seemed to blow the students minds because I was standing...
Words: 442 - Pages: 2
...I think that McDonald's went down a good path buy creating this ad, because it tugs on the heart strings of most viewers. I think that McDonald's is definitely trying to elicit happiness, and since the dad in the car doesn't want to wake the child, he keeps driving around and around. Once the cashier understands that he doesn't want to disturb the baby sleeping, she quickly tries to get the order in so he can leave with the baby still asleep. The way I analyzed this video was that McDonald's is trying to say that they have fast, and friendly service and at most places, it's at any time of day. They are trying to reach different kinds of audiences, and I think that breaking the social norm, which is usually a mother and her child, people were...
Words: 394 - Pages: 2
...When you meet a complete stranger, what do you usually say or do? Do you give them a kiss on the cheek, high five, or do you give them a hug? In our society, when we meet a complete stranger we tend to either just say “ hello”, exchange names, and a quick handshake. In my social norms project, I will be breaking the norm that our society has that when we meet a complete stranger we tend to just say “hello” and give them and a quick handshake. In this experiment I will intend to break this social norms by wearing a sign that reads “free hugs.” I will walk around a shopping center say “hello” to different individuals after this instead of giving them handshake like most people would do, I will point at my sign and see if they give me a hug instead. I have an accomplice joining me that will take notes on all the reactions that we both notice. Mostly focusing on: how people react both positive and negative, the similarities and differences on the reactions of the individuals....
Words: 1803 - Pages: 8
...College is believed to be a time when you meet new people and open up to new experiences. However, many keep to themselves with the fear of rejection and stay quiet. I was the type of person who isolated themselves from all that college had to offer. I took this project as an opportunity to go out of my comfort zone and break the social norm of keeping to one’s self. It was difficult since I see myself as an awkward person, and it takes me a long time to spark up an interesting conversation. I wanted to gain a reaction from the people I engaged in conversation with. I decided I would tell my peers that the Freshman Summer Program was too intense, and that I most likely would not return in the fall. I chose six triple rooms on the fifth...
Words: 403 - Pages: 2
...Charmaine Williams Professor Mitchell Sociology 1101 September 8, 2014 Breaking a Social Norm When asked to write a response paper on breaking a social norm, it was very hard for me to choose one that wouldn’t get me arrested or in a lot of trouble. I eventually came up with an idea an experiment to see people’s reactions to something that society considers a social norm. According to society social norms are the rules that we live by that dictate right and wrong behavior within our society. The social norms are also subject to some sort of punishment. In order to understand why my actions were considered to be breaking a social norm, I obtained permission from the general manager at The AMC Sony Imax Movie Theater in Stonecrest Mall to conduct an experiment. I will explain why, ringing cell phones, and telling other patrons the movie, or holding conversations with others is considered breaking a social norm not to mention an embarrassing experience when you get put out of the theater. On Friday September 5, 2014 I took my kids to the movies to see the movie LUCY. While there I sat next to some patrons while my cell phone rang and echoed through the theater, then I proceeded to answer my phone and carry on a conversation with the other person on the phone. The next thing I did was get up and move my seat next to another patron and began telling him everything that was about to happen in the movie. I laughed really loud and obnoxiously at parts of the movie that weren’t...
Words: 663 - Pages: 3
...Social norms are customs that we are conditioned to percieve as ordinary. Social norms have their pupose in our society. One can look at social norms as being favorable or unfavorable. I personally think that social norms are often a positive thing as they help keep us in order. For this paper I decided to violate a social norm that is derived from folkways. Folways are common demeanors related to rituals and triditions of a certain society. The norm that I choose to violate for this paper required me to cut into the middle of a line by myelf and stay in line for atleast 2 minutes. I decided to violate this social norm on the campus of Queensborough Commnity Colloge, in the cafeteria located in the science building. I choose this specific...
Words: 886 - Pages: 4
...In our society we have a number of norms that we abide by. For example, there is an unwritten rule of how one should behave in an elevator. It is “proper” to face front, stand away from strangers, and not to look at others. When a social norm is broken people may respond with alarm, humor, fear, irritation, or an array of other emotions. When you think of a norm, you are probably thinking about simply being normal. But in psychology terms, norm means a standard or representative value for a group. A social norm is some sort of an expectation that our society has that is deemed normal by that society; they tell us which behaviors, thoughts, or feelings are appropriate within a given group within a given context. Over the past week I was required to conduct a social experiment where I had to perform social deviance, or break socially established norms, then observe my society to see how they reacted to my “misconduct.” The experiment that I conducted was an example of informal deviance, where no one punished me and there was no risk of any punishment. It involved me riding a walled elevator (not one of those elevators that have all-glass walls) at Towson Mall in Towson Maryland multiple times, but riding it backwards, or, backwards as our current society would have it deemed. I had a friend with me that helped me monitor the reactions of eight different experiment groups and got various reactions where people confronted me about my lack of normality. This contradicted my hypothesis...
Words: 1211 - Pages: 5
... Introduction We have evidence that charismatic leaders behave differently than non-charismatic leaders. Furthermore we know that charismatic leaders can generate social changes with ease, and that the performance of charismatic leaders and their subordinates is at a higher level when compared to that of non-charismatic. At this moment in time very little about the processes by which leaders and followers interact to effect social changes (Meindl, 1992). This paper will answer the questions I think need to be addressed when try to understand charismatic leaders: Why do charismatic leaders act and behave a certain way? Why do the people who follow react in predictable ways to these behaviors? How does the leader follower relationship and interaction generate social change? In this paper, we dissect certain behaviors that begin to explain why and how the charismatic leader-follower interaction can generate change in the workplace or in any social atmosphere for that matter. I will examine the speeches of some of out nation’s greatest and most charismatic presidents, the CEO’s of our country. The analyzing of these speeches will show that charismatic leaders use consistent communication techniques to break down, move, and then change the norms of their followers. Charismatic leaders have the ability to break down, move, and alter the mindset of their followers with ease; it’s very easy for them and also comes very natural...
Words: 1436 - Pages: 6
...In my Norm Violation assignment I chose to break the common dining etiquette norm of eating with your hands. Since eating with your hands is only deviant behavior in certain dining situations, I chose to break this norm at a local sit-down restaurant in Eugene, Café Soriah. I went to the downtown restaurant with a group of friends for an afternoon meal without telling them of my Norm Violation assignment. Being the only informed one in the experiment seemed like the best way to get the most candid reactions from my peers. When I arrived to the restaurant I immediately noticed several social norms that everyone at the establishment was following. The customers and the staff were well dressed, and everyone was conducting himself or herself in an appropriate indoor manor. Everyone who was dining there was using silverware and had napkins in their laps as well. I also noticed that the group of people I had walked in with had already broken some less serious social norms or folkways. They way we were dressed epitomized college students who were struggling financially and those who did not have dressing nice high on their list of priorities. I could tell that we had instantly acquired stigmas from both the staff and some of the customers, simply by how we were dressed for the setting we were in. However, we were not acting unruly by any means and these stigmatisms seemed to be overlooked once we were seated. We were seated in a very open area of the restaurant and immediately...
Words: 1832 - Pages: 8
...Porsche Massey April 19, 2012 SOC-340 Spring 2012 Breaching Assignment The Things That Happen When You Break in Line The breaching experiment I chose was breaking in line. At first, I didn’t think that I was going to get much of any reaction because sometimes breaking is something I have seen occur a couple of times. However, I received a great response when I completed the task. I chose to spice up the experiment by going to three totally different places, and acting three different ways. The first way in which I was going to act was to break in line and act as if I did nothing wrong because something that the customer was doing or had violated me and I no longer wanted to wait in line behind them. The second reaction was to argue back with anyone who said something to me about breaking. The third reaction was to be apologetic but at the same time not get out of line because I felt entitled. The first place I decided to go was to a smaller retail place called Walgreens to get some reactions. I went in on March 9, 2012 at 3:00pm. The exact location was Walgreens on Highway 31 in Vestavia Al. There were approximately twenty people in the store not including the workers. As I was approaching the front of the store I noticed an array of races; Blacks, Whites, Asians, and Hispanics. Also, the ages ranged from fifteen to late sixties. The second place I went to was Wal-Mart on Lakeshore Drive in Homewood Al on April 3, 2012 at 11:00am. It was over fifty people in the...
Words: 1967 - Pages: 8
...decisions about abnormality. Dr Padawl decides to start by explaining how abnormality is defined. Describe and evaluate two definitions of abnormality. In your answer you must refer to how Dr Padawl might explain definitions of abnormality to the volunteers. (12) Dr Padawl may start explaining that abnormality is defined as ‘deviation from a norm or a standard’, and that by labeling a person or behaviour as ‘abnormal’ implies something undesirable and requires change. One definition of abnormality that Dr Padawl could use is social norms. He could ask the volunteers to come up with some examples of what they think social norms are. Then provide them with the correct definition that every society sets up rules for behaviours based on moral standards. They can be explicit (i.e. breaking the law), or implicit (unwritten rules i.e. table manners), and breaking these laws would be considered as abnormal as they are seen as rare in the population. After doing so, Dr Padawl could consolidate by asking the volunteers to label their examples whether they are explicit or implicit. Dr Padawl may also wish to evaluate social norms as a definition of abnormality. One weakness is that cross-cultural misunderstandings are common, as a behaviour that is considered as normal in one society may be seen as abnormal in another, due to cultures and time. i.e. homosexuality was considered as a mental illness until 1973, but it is now acceptable amongst the society. Another weakness Dr...
Words: 531 - Pages: 3
...Zoë C.P Gaines English 101 3/26/2016 Following Social Norms Human society is made up of billions of people right? It’s no wonder to me that in order to keep all of the worlds’ people at a level where they can function peacefully, some structures with regard to behaviors and mannerisms are needed. These, structures are better known as social norms. Social norms are the expected and set behaviors that are found within each and every culture around the world. These norms include both social and legal expectations. They constitute the main fabric of a society and its inner workings by setting in place social unwritten rules, also known as common law; which determines how people behave and act towards and around one another. The foremost function of social norms is to institute social structure and permit cohesiveness between members of society. These norms that are set in place are ordinarily accepted as right, or anticipated behavior depending on various circumstances that depend on environment and culture within such society. Once established, members of society who follow and abide by these norms feel more at ease socially while living out their day to day lives. Although, sometimes an individual's personal identity may in some sense be restricted by some social norms, therefore following the common law of the community you live in is generally seen as being good of the society; and therefore following them becomes an advantage to the members of that society. ...
Words: 1361 - Pages: 6
...Andy Weber Dr. Guerra American Literature 28 October 2014 Conformity Versus Individuality in “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” Anyone who might read the short story “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” by F. Scott Fitzgerald might analyze it and immediately take note that it is a story with a strong central focus on societal norms of the early 20th century and how those norms begin to change, especially among women of era. In “Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” we observe as the story’s central characters—a pair of young women—challenge the traditional gender roles set upon them by society, and in doing so, challenge the idea of conformity itself. Clearly this reflects the actual mindset of young women who lived during this time, as the 1920’s is particularly known as a time when women truly began to break societal norms and expected roles. But while the theme of identity and feminism seems clear to us, there also appears to be an underlying message that contrasts with this initial idea. Although “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is a story about progression and escaping from societal norms, it leaves us with the strong notion that society is ultimately more comfortable with conformity. Some of the more obvious themes found within this story include those such as feminism and identity, which easily go hand-in-hand with one another. Feminism is a particularly interesting theme in this story because of the timeframe in which it takes place. As stated before, the early 20th century saw a drastic cultural change in...
Words: 1573 - Pages: 7
...‘civilized life’ and fears the rules and conformities of society. Likewise, in the extract from The Catcher in the Rye, Holden has been expelled from Pencey and gets the train to New York, where attempts to flirt with one of his classmate’s mothers. Here Holden also rejects the expected social norms. This is because he has been treated like a dissident and a disappointment for most of his life, but he functions under the attitude that the problem lies within the ‘phony’ society and their expectations of him. Rejection is an occurrence in both novels, however, the difference being Huck was brought up with no education, no understanding of social standards and no rules imposed on him. Now he has been forced into a civilized life which he dreads. On the other hand, Holden has been educated and disciplined from a young age and he appears to be well behaved. However, later on in the novel we discover he pretends to be someone he not and very often breaks social norms. Both writers present the theme of rejection by aiming to portray a young man’s ‘journey’ through growing up. Both protagonists reject the expectations placed on them by society; however they do not share similar experiences and social backgrounds. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, set in roughly 1835, the slave era of 19th Century America, author Twain uses the character of Huck to indulge in the feelings of slavery he has himself. By mocking and rejecting the...
Words: 911 - Pages: 4
