Breaking the Social Norm - Commack Schools



Breaking the Social Norm

Directions: Part I: Violate a social norm

Social norms are prescriptions for accepted or expected behaviors. To explore the power of social norms, your assignment is to violate one of the norms listed below.

Directions: Part II: Writing about your experience (Typed, MLA format)

Write about the norm you violated, why you picked to violate that particular social norm, the way you felt (for example, you might describe whether the experience was uncomfortable, fun, liberating, scary, or something else and why), and the reactions people had to your social norms violation.

PLEASE READ BEFORE STARTING: You may also violate any other norm you choose, as long as you don't risk harming yourself or others and as long as your behavior doesn't reflect badly on the school or this class (if you're not sure, please consult with me first). For example, you should not do anything that breaks a law, disrupts a class* or public event, involves sexual behavior or sexually explicit speech, hurts or threatens others, or includes taking or damaging other people's property -- such norm violations will result in a grade of zero.

List of Social Norms

Give personal information to a stranger

Extreme/no eye contact

Walking backwards (in a place other than school)

Not covering your mouth when you cough

Blatant /Outward public flatulence

Public wedgie repair.

Eating with your mouth open

Elevator

Walk on the wrong side of the hall

Cut line

Reading over someone’s shoulder

Excessive hand talking

Inappropriate reactions

Hiding face in conversation

Smiling

Cell phone

Use knife and fork in school cafeteria

Taking a bite of someone’s lunch

Lapping up drink

End a conversation without saying good-bye or even acknowledging the end at all

Sing loudly on a public bus, subway, or train (not on a school bus)

Stand on your chair in a restaurant and recite the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance.

Continuously jump up and down while waiting in a check-out line at a grocery store.

Get into an elevator that is crowded with strangers, and after the doors close, introduce yourself to the group.

*Shout out or stand up in class (this violation should be chosen with caution and with consideration)

Assignment adapted from:

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