Assignment : The Violation of Norms

Purpose:

This exercise asks you to violate a norm and write a report about the experience. The objective of the exercise is to determine the extent to which norms influence behavior. Thus, you will want to pay particular attention to the reactions of both YOURSELF and OTHERS.

Guidelines:

1. Select a norm that is common in our society.
2. Break the norm in a public social setting.
3. Observe the reactions of others and yourself, both verbal and nonverbal.
4. Record as quickly as possible those reactions.

DO NOT: --Break laws or cause anyone else to break the law.
--Cause harm to yourself or anyone else.
--Do anything that is legally or morally questionable.

The Norm Violation is jumping up and down in Walmart checking out line.

In writing up this exercise, be sure to cover all the following points, but don't feel that you are limited to them. Be sure to:

1. Define the norm you will violate.

2. Describe how this norm acts to organize and control behavior.

3. What values does this norm uphold?

4. Describe how you violated the norm. Describe the physical setting, the social setting, and how many and what types of persons were there.

5. Summary and interpretation: Describe what happened as a result of this violation.

a. How did you feel as you were violating the norm?
b. Why did you feel the way you did?
c. How did others react?
d. Did you encounter any difficulties in carrying out your assignment?
e. What did you learn about how norms organize and control behavior?

Format:

1½ to 2 pages; typed and single spaced; 12 point font with 1 inch margins.