For This Assignment, You Will Have The Opportunity To Conduc ✓ Solved

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For this assignment you will have the opportunity to conduct

For this assignment you will have the opportunity to conduct an experiment, or quasi-experiment, in order to explore deviance in our society. As we learned this week, deviance is “any behavior, belief, or condition that violates significant social norms in the society or group in which it occurs” (Kendall, 2013, p. 180). Cultural norms are behaviors and expectations for a group and fall into three categories: folkways, mores, and laws. For this assignment you will explore society’s reaction to a folkway violation.

You will then utilize the textbook, online materials, and the South Online Library in order to write a two-page essay on the deviant (not criminal) experience. First, review the sections on Research Ethics and the subsection on Testing a Hypothesis under the section Research Methods in chapter one of your text in order to familiarize yourself with sociological experiments. Then, begin this assignment by choosing a folkway to violate. Examples include (and there are many folkways to choose from): wearing the other gender’s clothing, speaking a foreign language to an English speaker, sitting with a stranger at a restaurant, and eating dinner with your hands.

Be sure to ask your facilitator if you are unsure if the norm you choose to violate is appropriate for this assignment. Violate your chosen folkway (not a law) in at least one situation and document it with pictures, video, and/or notes. Be sure to note how you feel when you violate the norm, as well as other people’s reactions to the violation. If you do not receive adequate data (reactions) in one situation, try it again in another.

Write an organized essay that explores the norm you violated, how you felt while being deviant, and the reactions you received while you were violating the norm. You should then analyze the experience, including the theories of deviance presented in the text. Your paper should also include an introduction with a thesis and a conclusion that reviews all main points you present. Assignment alternative: you may choose to do a reflection paper on an instance when you have been deviant in the past. A reflection paper must contain analysis and integrate concepts from the text.

Remember to use APA format for the essay style as well as in-text citations and when listing the references.

Paper For Above Instructions

In the exploration of deviance within social norms, it becomes imperative to understand the intricacies of societal reactions when a folkway is violated. For this paper, the chosen folkway was sitting with a stranger in a restaurant—a practice that may evoke discomfort or curiosity depending on the cultural context. The act of approaching and sitting down at a table occupied by an unfamiliar individual serves as a pivotal experiment in social interaction, inviting various responses from both the participant and the surrounding patrons.

Upon entering the restaurant, the ambiance was inviting, yet the prospect of violating a social norm loomed heavily in my mind. The initial feelings were a mix of anxiety and excitement. Would others perceive this act as socially awkward? Would the stranger be open to conversation or would they be offended by my intrusion? These apprehensions formed the core of my motivations to engage in this norm violation, reflecting the psychological consequences that often accompany breaking social barriers.

In my first attempt, I spotted an individual seated alone at a corner table—an opportunity to breach the folkway of personal dining space. I approached the table with a friendly demeanor, smiling as I inquired, “Is this seat taken?” The stranger looked up in surprise, pausing momentarily to evaluate my presence. After a brief consideration, they gestured towards the chair indicating it was available. As I sat down, the initial tension in the air transformed into a semblance of curiosity.

The stranger’s reaction was a blend of surprise and intrigue. Initially, there was silence, followed by questioning looks that shifted into a light conversation about the food and atmosphere of the restaurant. My apprehensions began to wane as we exchanged thoughts, challenging my preconceived notions about social rejection in such unfamiliar interactions. This experience underscored the variability of individual responses to deviant actions, particularly when amid the established cultural framework of dining etiquette.

Analyzing this situation through the lens of sociological theories reveals significant insights into the nature of deviance. According to Howard Becker’s labeling theory, deviance is not an inherent quality of an act but rather a label that society attaches to certain behaviors (Becker, 1963). By simply choosing to sit with a stranger, I was engaging in a behavior that could be seen as deviant according to conventional dining norms. However, the positive interaction that ensued dispelled the negative connotations typically associated with violating this folkway.

Furthermore, Erving Goffman’s concept of “stigma” plays a critical role in understanding the dynamics of social interactions following the norm violation. The stigma usually associated with unusual behavior can manifest in various forms, impacting those who choose to breach societal expectations. Yet, through open dialogue and acceptance, the stigma can diminish, highlighting the potential for connection in what might normally be viewed as an uncomfortable situation (Goffman, 1963).

The experiment was conducted a second time to ensure consistent data collection. This time, I approached a different stranger at another café. This choice propelled me further into the realm of unpredictability as I prepared for the encounter. This individual reacted differently; their immediate response was one of unease, as they shifted in their seat and looked around, silently communicating their discomfort. This variance in reactions emphasized the subjective nature of social norms—what may be accepted by one person may be entirely challenging for another. It illuminated the spectrum of personal boundaries and responses in social situations.

Throughout these experiences, I continued to document my feelings and the reactions of both the individuals and nearby patrons. Each interaction became a rich tapestry of analysis, reinforcing existing sociological theories. The feelings of alienation experienced during the second attempt served to amplify the initial warmth experienced previously, showcasing how individual perceptions and societal expectations interplay significantly in determining reactions to deviance.

In conclusion, this exploration of violating a folkway through sitting with strangers has illuminated the complexities of social reactions and individual attitudes toward deviance. By documenting personal feelings and reactions during these interactions, deeper insights into societal behaviors and the theoretical frameworks surrounding deviance can be established. The varied responses encountered shed light on the dynamic nature of social interaction and the often malleable boundaries of deviance. This assignment, therefore, not only expanded my understanding of sociological principles but also transformed the way I perceive everyday interactions within public spheres.

References

• Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. Free Press.
• Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. Prentice-Hall.
• Kendall, D. (2013). Sociology in our times. Cengage Learning.
• Durkheim, E. (1897). Suicide: A study in sociology. Free Press.
• Becker, H. S. (1960). The Other Side: Perspectives on Deviance. Free Press.
• Martindale, C. (1975). Deviance: A sociological perspective. University of Chicago Press.
• Cohen, A. K. (1955). Delinquent Boys: The Culture of the Gang. Free Press.
• Lemert, E. M. (1967). Human Deviance. Prentice Hall.
• Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation for a general strain theory of crime and delinquency. Criminology, 30(1), 47-87.
• Wolfgang, M. E., & Ferracuti, F. (1967). The Subculture of Violence: Towards an Integrated Theory in Criminology. Tavistock Publications.

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