Violate Your Chosen Folkway, Not A Law In At Least One Situa

Violate Your Chosen Folkway Not A Law In At Least One Situation And

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. Review the grading criteria to ensure that your reflection paper contains all of the necessary components. Remember to use APA format for the essay style as well as in-text citations and when listing the references. Submit your 2–5-page essay (maximum 12 pt. font) describing your application project and your findings to the

Paper For Above instruction

For this sociological exploration, I chose to violate the folkway of personal space, specifically by standing unusually close to strangers in public places without justification. Folkways are informal social norms that guide everyday behavior but are not legally enforced. Violating such norms often leads to social reactions that help reinforce societal boundaries and expectations (Giddens, 2013). In this project, I aimed to observe the reactions elicited by invading personal space in various contexts, analyze my feelings during the violation, and interpret these experiences through sociological theories of deviance and social control.

The experiment was conducted in several locations, including a busy shopping mall, a public park, and a coffee shop. In each setting, I approached strangers and stood approximately one foot away from them when the social norm suggests a distance of at least two to three feet. My intention was to examine whether such violations would garner discomfort, avoidance behaviors, or explicit reactions. During these encounters, I noted my emotional state and observed the reactions of the individuals involved, documenting the experience with notes and photographs where possible.

Initially, I felt a mix of apprehension and curiosity. As a participant, I experienced a slight increase in anxiety, primarily because I was aware of the potential for negative reactions. The reactions from strangers varied: some looked visibly uncomfortable, stepping back or shifting away, while others appeared indifferent or confused. One individual at the coffee shop responded with a nervous laugh and moved away quickly, clearly signaling discomfort. In contrast, another person in the park didn't seem to notice or was non-reactive, possibly due to being absorbed in their activity or desensitized to social norms.

The reactions can be understood through Erving Goffman's dramaturgical approach, viewing social interactions as performances where norms serve as scripts that maintain social order (Goffman, 1959). Violating personal space disrupts this script, compelling individuals to react either defensively or with indifference. The discomfort and avoidance behaviors reflect a form of social control aimed at maintaining personal boundaries. Furthermore, the reactions support symbolic interactionism, which emphasizes the importance of shared meanings and symbols in social interactions (Blumer, 1969). The unwritten rule about personal space functions as a social symbol that, when violated, signals a breach of personal boundaries.

My feelings during the experiment fluctuated between self-consciousness and guilt, as I was aware of the potential discomfort caused. Interestingly, in some cases, I felt a sense of empowerment in challenging social norms, even if it provoked discomfort. This aligns with the concept of deviance as a social construct, whereby behaviors are deemed deviant based on societal reactions rather than inherent qualities (Becker, 1963). The observations reveal how societal reactions serve as mechanisms of social control, reinforcing norms and discouraging deviance.

The experiment also demonstrates that social norms, although informal, are vital in shaping everyday interactions. The reactions of individuals highlight their reliance on shared understandings of personal space to feel safe and comfortable. When these norms are violated, social sanctions, whether verbal or non-verbal, are employed to restore the expected order. This aligns with Durkheim's views on social cohesion, where shared norms and values maintain societal stability (Durkheim, 1912).

In conclusion, violating a folkway such as personal space proved to be an insightful exercise in understanding social norms and deviance. The personal feelings of discomfort and curiosity, coupled with varied reactions from others, illustrate the power of social norms in regulating behavior. The experience reaffirmed that norms are the invisible threads weaving社会 fabric, and violations trigger social sanctions that reinforce societal values. Through this process, I gained a deeper appreciation for the subtle yet profound ways social control operates to maintain order and cohesion within society.

References

• Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. Free Press.
• Giddens, A. (2013). Sociology. Polity Press.
• Goffman, E. (1959). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Anchor Books.
• Durkheim, É. (1912). The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. (K. Temple, Trans.). Free Press.
• Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic Interactionism. Berkeley: University of California Press.