ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION :Norm Breaching Experiment

The unwritten rules, or norms, that govern social interactions often remain invisible until they are broken. Breaching experiments aim to explore the norms that order our social lives by purposefully disrupting these norms and observing the results. For this assignment, you will conduct your own breaching experiment.

1. Choose a social norm to violate. The norm should be commonly understood, something that is so widely known that it will be obvious to those around you that you're breaking it. Do not tell anyone in the situation that you're conducting this experiment (with the possible exception of classmates conducting the experiment with you).

You should proceed as if you feel it's perfectly normal to engage in the norm-violating behavior. Keep the experiment up for enough time that you can observe several reactions. If appropriate, you may wish to debrief others involved in the experiment after you finish.

You may not conduct a breaching experiment that breaks the law, puts anyone (including yourself) at risk, makes anyone feel unsafe, or reflects negatively on the College or this class. If you have any questions about whether your breaching experiment is appropriate, consult with me. Examples of appropriate breaching experiments include:

• Singing loudly on a public bus

• Positioning yourself six inches from an acquaintance's nose during a conversation

• Jumping up and down while waiting in a check-out line at a store

• Getting in to a crowded elevator, waiting for the doors to close, and introducing yourself to the group

2. Immediately take notes on your own feelings during this experiment as well as the reactions of those around you.

3. Write up your experiment (approximately 2-3 pages), addressing the following:

• Describe your method. What did you do for your breaching experiment? What norm did you violate, and why did you choose to violate this particular norm?

• Describe your own response to the experiment. How did you feel before, during, and after?

• Describe others' responses. How did the people around you react to your breach? Did they react in ways that were expected or unexpected?

• What did this exercise illustrate to you about norms and social control? How do your findings connect to (illustrate, challenge. etc.) at least two of the course readings?

4. Remember you should make relevant, meaningful, direct connections to at least two course readings and use of sociological concepts, theories, and/or research, including relevant terminology, general explanations, and direct, specific applications.

REQUIREMENTS

• Submission length 750-950 words (about three to four pages double spaced)

• You must use (directly reference/discuss) at least two of the course readings as you analyze your breaching experimentent

• Do not use any outside sources; stick to the course materials.

• Provide a reference list for the course materials you cite, and you must adhere to the principles for academic integrity by carefully and responsibly citing any material you draw from in your paper (including course materials).

• Provide in-text citations (with the author's last name) for material you reference. If you use another author's exact wording, you must put this wording in quotes and provide a page number as well.

Format your paper using the following criteria:

• Essay should be pasted directly into the canvas assignment or uploaded as an attachment. (don't worry if the formatting changes)