SOC 111 Introduction To Sociology Norm Violation Assignment

Soc 111 Introduction To Sociologynorm Violation Assignmenti Chose Goi

Choose a norm to violate and observe the reactions of yourself and others in the situation. Describe your chosen norm, the setting, your feelings before, during, and after the violation, and how others responded. Reflect on what you learned about norms, social control, and yourself as a social being. Ensure the experiment is ethical, legal, and safe, and the paper is around two pages, double-spaced.

Paper For Above instruction

In this assignment, I chose to violate the norm of wearing very formal attire, specifically a long skirt and small heels, while going to the gym. This norm was selected because it sharply contrasts with the typical gym attire, which is usually athletic wear. The goal was to observe the reactions of others and myself when this incongruity was present in a setting known for casual, functional clothing. I wanted to explore how social expectations influence behavior and how social control functions to maintain norms in different environments.

The setting I chose was a local fitness center during peak hours. Physically, the gym is a typical urban gym with weights, cardio machines, and open spaces for workout routines. Socially, it is a casual environment where people generally conform to athletic wear norms. I selected this setting because it is heavily structured around fitness norms and dress codes, which made the norm violation particularly conspicuous. The relatively neutral yet socially structured environment of the gym provided an ideal space to observe spontaneous reactions to my norm-breaking behavior.

Before entering the gym, I experienced a mixture of anticipation and mild anxiety because I knew my attire would be unconventional for that environment. During my time on the treadmill, I felt self-conscious, aware of how I looked and how others might judge me. I worried about attracting unwanted attention or ridicule, though I also felt a sense of curiosity and rebellion, wanting to see firsthand how social norms enforce conformity. After completing my workout and leaving the gym, I felt a mix of relief and pride, having stepped outside my comfort zone and observed the social responses.

Others' responses varied, but most reactions were non-verbal. Some individuals cast curious or surprised glances at me, with body language indicating curiosity or confusion. A few gym members seemed to ignore my attire entirely, focusing on their workouts, while some whispered or exchanged glances with their workout partners. No one openly confronted or criticized me verbally, which suggests a level of social tolerance for minor deviations, but their non-verbal cues indicated that my attire was noticeable. Staff members did not intervene or comment, which is indicative of social acceptance of individual differences as long as they do not disrupt the environment.

Overall, this norm violation provided insights into social control and conformity. I learned that social norms are reinforced subtly through non-verbal cues such as glances, body language, and social distance. While overt confrontation was absent, the reactions still conveyed disapproval or surprise, demonstrating the power of informal social sanctions. This experiment highlighted how strongly social environments are designed to promote conformity, especially when normative behaviors are well-established and expected. I also learned that individuals often unconsciously enforce norms through their reactions, influencing behavior without explicit rules or laws.

From a personal perspective, I realized that I am quite influenced by social expectations, as my initial feelings of self-consciousness and anxiety demonstrated. However, I also experienced a sense of resilience and curiosity about social acceptance. This experiment made me more aware of how social control operates subtly but effectively, shaping individuals’ actions and perceptions. Additionally, I observed that many people prioritize comfort and functionality over strict conformity to norms, which suggests a complex interplay between individual expression and social expectations. The experience underscored the importance of understanding norms not just as rules but as powerful social forces that guide behavior and maintain social order.

References

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• Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. University of California Press.
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• Trautner, M. (2012). The Social Control of Dress. Sociology Compass, 6(5), 371-382.
• Zygmunt Bauman, (1990). Liquid Modernity. Polity Press.
• Abercrombie, N., Hill, S., & Sallon, B. (2006). Dictionary of Sociology. Penguin.
• Wilson, G. (2019). Norms and Deviance. Sociological Theory, 37(4), 392-407.
• Erving Goffman (1959). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Anchor Books.
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• Cialdini, R. B., & Trost, M. R. (1998). Social Influence: Social Norms, Conformity, and Compliance. In D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & G. Lindzey (Eds.), The Handbook of Social Psychology (4th ed., pp. 151-192). McGraw-Hill.