How Did You Violate A Social Norm?
Adam Owen
Mrs. Riter
SOC 9101
29 January 2014
Breaching Exercise A breaching exercise is when you intentionally violate a social norm and then observe the reactions of those around you.
1. What norm did you violate?
The norm that I decided to violate was speaking a different language in public and to act like I did not speak English.
2. Why did you choose that norm?
I choose this norm because I always see the difficulty people have when they are new to this country and have problems with communication.
3. Specifically how did you violate that norm?
I violate the norm of speaking English by speaking a different language and acting like I did not understand English.
4. What happened when you violated the norm? Be specific.
When
I violated the norm the lady I was talking to at Wal-Mart started making a weird face like they did not understand me. Then I start talking in Somali which is the language from my homeland Somalia. Then the lady was getting very frustrated and she did not know what to do. Then she went and a black lady to help her understand what I was saying as if the black knew Somali.
5. How did you feel when you were violating the norm?
I felt awkward but at the same time it was funny because I made the lady feel uncomfortable and she did not know what to do?
6. Overall, was your experience positive or negative?
Overall, my experience was negative because I realize how stereotypical people are when she brought a black lady to help her understand me.
7. Why do you think we have a norm against what you did?
I do not know why we have a norm against what I did because the United States does not have an official language; therefore there is no norm for this exercise.
8. Which sanction or social control was the most effective and which was the least effective?
The most effective sanction is not being able to communicate and the least effective sanction is looking dumb or confused in public.
9. What makes an effective sanction for you?
An effective sanction for me would be getting an in trouble with the law or getting a felony for a crime.
10. Type up your field notes at the end after you answer all the above questions.
Field Notes
• The cashier looks confused and worried
• She is not able to understand what I am saying and bring a co- worker for help
• People behind me at the cash register are getting annoyed and frustrated
Mrs. Riter
SOC 9101
29 January 2014
Breaching Exercise A breaching exercise is when you intentionally violate a social norm and then observe the reactions of those around you.
1. What norm did you violate?
The norm that I decided to violate was speaking a different language in public and to act like I did not speak English.
2. Why did you choose that norm?
I choose this norm because I always see the difficulty people have when they are new to this country and have problems with communication.
3. Specifically how did you violate that norm?
I violate the norm of speaking English by speaking a different language and acting like I did not understand English.
4. What happened when you violated the norm? Be specific.
When
I violated the norm the lady I was talking to at Wal-Mart started making a weird face like they did not understand me. Then I start talking in Somali which is the language from my homeland Somalia. Then the lady was getting very frustrated and she did not know what to do. Then she went and a black lady to help her understand what I was saying as if the black knew Somali.
5. How did you feel when you were violating the norm?
I felt awkward but at the same time it was funny because I made the lady feel uncomfortable and she did not know what to do?
6. Overall, was your experience positive or negative?
Overall, my experience was negative because I realize how stereotypical people are when she brought a black lady to help her understand me.
7. Why do you think we have a norm against what you did?
I do not know why we have a norm against what I did because the United States does not have an official language; therefore there is no norm for this exercise.
8. Which sanction or social control was the most effective and which was the least effective?
The most effective sanction is not being able to communicate and the least effective sanction is looking dumb or confused in public.
9. What makes an effective sanction for you?
An effective sanction for me would be getting an in trouble with the law or getting a felony for a crime.
10. Type up your field notes at the end after you answer all the above questions.
Field Notes
• The cashier looks confused and worried
• She is not able to understand what I am saying and bring a co- worker for help
• People behind me at the cash register are getting annoyed and frustrated