Breaking a social norm assignment

Norm Violation Essay

Introduction to Sociology: Norm Violation Assignment

Class, For this assignment, you are required to violate a social norm/social experiment. Once you have completed the violation please write a reflection paper discussing the experience including your personal reflections/response as well as the response and reactions of individuals (age restricted to 18 +) who were in the environment in which the violation took place. Below are the requirements that must be followed to successfully complete the violation and the written part of the norm violation. For this assignment please use your best writing skills! Proof-read and spell check your paper, before you submit the assignment. Your paper should be written in APA format, be 5-pages in length, maximum, and your paper must include a title page and be double-spaced. Please note: that references are only needed if you use work other than your own. Finally, please be creative and original. Your creativity and originality will increase your chances for a better grade. Step One - Norm Violation Steps: Steps in violating a social norm (10 points possible):

1. Define social norms. 2. Choose a social norm to violate. 3. Choose a public location/environment in which to violate the norm. The second

part, please make sure that the norm violation is a violation in the chosen environment.

4. Violate the social norm. 5. Please be creative, original and imaginative when performing the violation. 6. Carefully observe yourself and others as the norm violation occurs.

Step Two - Required Format: (80 points possible):

1. Briefly define the Sociological definition of social norms. 2. Describe the social norm you chose to violate and why you chose this norm,

including how it identifies as a norm violation. 3. Describe the setting/environment you chose (physical and social) and why. 4. Describe in detail exactly, how you felt before, during and after the social

experience. 5. Describe in detail, how other people responded (verbally and/or non-verbally) to

the social norm violation. 6. In your conclusion section of the paper describe (10 points possible):

a. What did you learn about societal norms and social control? b. What did you learn about yourself as a social being? c. What other observations can you make about the assignment?

*Remember all assignments must be submitted in Word.

Specifics of the Assignment: Environment Exclusions: Please avoid violating norms in these settings and/or environments (Using excluded environments (listed below) will reduce your grade by 25%):

1. Elevators 2. WSU Campus/Classrooms 3. Bathrooms

Assignment Restrictions: Please Do Not!:

1. Break any laws or by your actions cause anyone else to break any laws. 2. Cause harm to yourself or anyone else, either physically, mentally, emotionally,

or otherwise. 3. Do not imitate and/or simulate breaking any laws. Doing so will result in an

automatic zero for the assignment. 4. Do anything that is legally, ethically, or morally questionable or that could bring

negative sanctions against yourself, the department, the University and/or your instructor.

**Violating any of the above assignment restrictions will result in an automatic zero for the assignment and/or failing the course. Norm Violation Assignment Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the informal pressures to conform social norms 2. Understand the sources of internal/external social controls 3. Understand personal power in various social/environment settings

Note: Please be sure to follow the directions carefully; points will be deducted if you do not. This assignment is created to help you understand the concept of internal/external social controls. The norm violation assignment paper is worth a maximum of 100 points and will be due at 11:59 pm (end of the day) on the due date outlined in the syllabus and in the assignment summary table in Blackboard. After the cut-off time of 11:59 pm the assignment link will close preventing submission of your assignment. Please do not wait until the last possible minute to submit your paper. Late papers will not be accepted, no exceptions. The norm violation must be submitted in Word any other format will not be accepted. The norm assignment must also be submitted through Blackboard by clicking the assignment section, then selecting the Norm Violation link and then attach your paper (do not cut and paste). Submitting your paper on time and through Blackboard is the only way that your assignment will be accepted and receive a grade. It is also important that you understand that I will not accept emailed submissions of your assignment or hard copies of your norm violation. Submitting your assignment through email without direct consent from the instructor will result in an automatic zero. There will be no exceptions to this policy.