APA Format And References — Due Today By 11:59 Pm
APA Format And APA Referencesduetodayby1159pm I Need Atleast An Hour
APA format and APA references Due Today by 11:59pm - I need at least an hour or two before then -- Central time USA Points - 30 Directions: WHAT YOU WILL DO: For this assignment each of you will deviate from at least one widely accepted norm, more specifically a Folkway. You wear non-normative clothes to class or dinner. You eat your meal in front of people while standing or while singing. You greet people or return others’ greetings in a very unusual way. You wear your clothes backward. You wear a gorilla suit around town - and not at Halloween time. You drive backwards through a drive-thru. * You walk into a store or mall with your underwear on the outside of your clothes. For this one, several semesters ago one of my students walked into the Sheboygan Falls Pick N Save with their tidy whites on their head; the local police told them to remove them.
A great Folkway example. All of the above Folkway examples were completed by my students. Always be careful with what you do; you do not want to get into any trouble even if the Folkway is mild. Try to be creative, but be sure to do this in a way that is safe, is not against the law, and will not get you in trouble. For example, racist or vulgar remarks would be a bad idea. You are to record your thoughts and feelings in an essay format, words - you may write more.
Paper For Above instruction
The assignment challenges students to intentionally deviate from a cultural norm, specifically a Folkway, and reflect on the experience in a written essay. Folkways are informal social expectations that govern everyday behaviors, often unnoticed unless intentionally altered (Swartz & Alberts, 2018). Engaging in such deviations offers insight into social expectations, conformity, and individual reactions within social contexts (Henslin, 2020). In this paper, I will describe the chosen act of deviating from a Folkway, reflect on the ethical considerations, and analyze the personal and social responses elicited by this behavior.
For my deviation, I decided to wear my clothes backward in a public setting. This choice is an accessible yet uncommon deviation, unlikely to cause serious discomfort or legal issues but enough to attract attention and provoke social reactions. Before executing this act, I carefully assessed the environment to ensure it was safe and legal and that my behavior would not cause harm or offense. I dressed in regular clothing but with the back at the front, creating an unusual visual impression that would likely attract curiosity or surprise from passersby.
The experience began when I entered a local grocery store, a familiar public space where social norms are generally observed without much questioning. As I walked through the store with my clothes backward, I noticed a variety of reactions from people. Some looked at me with confusion or curiosity, others with amusement, and a few with mild irritation or concern. This assortment of responses is typical when normative expectations are temporarily disrupted, illustrating the social function of norms in maintaining order and predictability (Durkheim, 2014).
Emotionally, I experienced a mixture of amusement, embarrassment, and curiosity. At first, I felt somewhat self-conscious, worried about how others might judge or react. However, as I continued, I found myself more comfortable with the act, partly because I understood that my deviation was harmless and intended as a social experiment. The reactions from others ranged from playful curiosity to outright discomfort, which highlighted societal boundaries regarding appearance and behavior. Some individuals approached me to ask what I was doing or to make humorous comments, fostering interaction that was both light-hearted and revealing about social tolerance.
This experience underscores the importance of Folkways in daily life, emphasizing their role in smoothing social interactions and maintaining social cohesion (Sumner, 1906). When these norms are challenged, even in minor ways, it can lead to discomfort, confusion, or amusement, depending on the individual's perspective and cultural background. My deviation demonstrated that while Folkways are flexible, they serve to reinforce social expectations and boundaries (Beteille, 2014).
Reflecting on the ethical considerations, I ensured that my behavior was respectful, safe, and non-disruptive. I avoided any provocative or offensive actions, recognizing that crossing certain boundaries could offend or disturb others in more sensitive contexts (Goffman, 1967). This experiment reinforced the importance of responsibility when deviating from social norms, especially in public spaces where reactions can be unpredictable.
In conclusion, deviating from a Folkway by dressing backward provided valuable insights into social norms and their influence on behavior. It highlighted the automatic responses individuals have to norm violations and the importance of social context in shaping perceptions. Such experiments can deepen our understanding of social conformity, tolerance, and the mechanisms that uphold societal order. This experience encourages a mindful approach to exploring social norms, emphasizing respect, safety, and awareness of potential consequences.
References
- Beteille, A. (2014). The idea of social inequality. Penguin Classics.
- Durkheim, É. (2014). The rules of sociological method. Free Press.
- Goffman, E. (1967). Interaction ritual: Essays on face-to-face behavior. Pantheon Books.
- Henslin, J. M. (2020). Sociology: A down-to-earth approach. Pearson.
- Swartz, M., & Alberts, N. (2018). Sociology: Understanding and changing the social world. Routledge.
- Sumner, W. G. (1906). Folkways: The sanctity of life, and other essays. Ginn & Company.