Contemporary Social Problems

Social Norms Project

70 points

Objective: Students will analyze and evaluate social norms according to American values and asses the reactionary behavior of people when those norms are broken.

Task: You are to “break” 3 social norms (20 points each). Write a final reflection (10 points).

You are to write out your experiments in the following format. USE COMPLETE SENTENCES:

  1. Experiment: list what you are attempting to do
  2. Hypothesis: discuss how people will react or if you will be able to succeed; make predictions
  3. Observations: list date, time, place, people involved. In complete sentences, tell WHAT happened. Include DETAILS!
  4. Conclusions: was your hypothesis correct? Any surprises?

Final Reflection: write a one paragraph reflection including what you learned from this project. Express any fears, likes, or dislikes as well.

Other Requirements: Must be typed!

Grading: Each entry is worth 20 points and the reflection is worth 10 = 70 points

Examples:

  1. In a large waiting room where there are many empty chairs (a doctor’s office t is a good place to try this), choose a chair next to a person who is already seated. One of our norms is that strangers do not sit next to each other as long as other seats are available. A friend should record the reactions of the other person.
  2. Enter an elevator where others are already riding. Stand facing the back of the elevator. A friend should take note of the reactions—verbal and nonverbal – of the others on the elevator.
  3. Boys, carry a purse to a store. Walk to the cashier and open the purse to take out your money and pay for your purchase. Girls, wear last year’s prom dress to the grocery store.
  4. In your own home, if the members of your family have specific places where they sit during dinner, sit in another person’s place.
  5. In class, and with prior consent, address your teacher by his or her first name. Watch the reactions of your classmates.
  6. Extend your left hand to shake hands with someone.
  7. Facing the wrong directions, ride an escalator.
  8. Stand close during a conversation with someone.