Our Complex Society: Many Social Norms, E.g., Don't Chew

Our Complex Society There Are Many Social Norms Eg Dont Chew Wit

Our complex society, there are many social norms (e.g., don’t chew with your mouth open, hold the door for others, face the front of the elevator). Some norms are explicit, while others are not. For this project your assignment is to break a social norm. Important: YOU CANNOT CAUSE INJURY TO ANYONE OR BREAK THE LAW! (For example, if you plan to invade someone’s personal space, do not do it in a dark parking garage.) However, find a norm and break it. Write about your experience: § Page 1 should be a detailed description of your motivation. What norm did you pick? Why did you pick it? How did you learn about it? § Page 2 should be a description of your experience in breaking the norm. What happened? What were people’s reactions? What was your reaction? How did you feel? How do you imagine others felt? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The papers will all be just 2 pages long (1” margins, double-spaced, 12-point font, with name and title of the assignment at the top). Because the papers are so short, they will be graded on clarity and succinctness. Keep in mind that it is often more difficult to fill up 2 really good pages than 10 pages of rambling.

Paper For Above instruction

Breaking social norms can be an enlightening experience, revealing much about societal expectations and human behavior. For this project, I chose to break the norm of holding the door open for others, a common polite gesture ingrained from early socialization. My motivation stemmed from curiosity about how such a simple act influences social interactions and whether its absence would be noticed or judged.

I learned about this norm through daily life and family upbringing, where holding the door for someone is regarded as a sign of politeness and respect. The norm was reinforced through media portrayals and observations of peers, shaping my understanding that it is a basic courtesy in many cultures. I decided to test the social rule by intentionally not holding the door open for a person behind me in a busy public space. My aim was to observe their reaction and reflect on the social dynamics at play.

During the experiment, I held the door closed as the individual approached, offering no gesture of assistance. The person, likely recognizing my intentional act, hesitated briefly but then proceeded to open the door themselves. Their facial expression showed mild surprise or slight annoyance, but they did not confront me directly. Other onlookers seemed to notice the situation, but there was no obvious reaction from most of them, perhaps due to the busy environment diluting individual reactions.

My reaction was a mixture of curiosity and mild discomfort. I wondered how I would feel if I had been in the person’s position, perhaps feeling overlooked or unconsidered. I felt a bit guilty for not adhering to the norm, but also intrigued by the subtle social cues and the unspoken expectations that govern everyday interactions. I imagine others in similar situations might feel unfamiliarity, disappointment, or even social pressure to conform and act politely.

Overall, breaking this norm revealed that while some individuals may react with mild surprise or annoyance, most social environments tolerate minor deviations without severe repercussions. It highlighted how ingrained social behaviors serve to facilitate smooth interactions and maintain social harmony. The experience underscored the importance of manners and how they influence perceptions, reactions, and personal feelings in daily life.

References

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• Griskevicius, V., Tybur, J. M., & Van Vugt, M. (2010). The Evolutionary Foundations of Human Social Norms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(3), 370-389.