Dear Everyone:Section D Homework - Social Groups


This goal of this assignment is to learn about how norms are internalized and enforced. After reading the discussion of norms on page 31, as well as the more detailed discussion of norms on pages 88-91 (Chapter 4), then:

1. Purposefully and publicly violate a folkway (not a more, law, or taboo!; be sure the violation poses absolutely no danger to yourself or anyone else, and that it is legal and won't be overly upsetting to others). Pay attention both to your own reactions, as well as that of other people present.

2. Answer the following questions:

a. Identify the folkway you violated, and describe how you violated it.
Hypothetical folkways to break: 1.Talking behind someone's back to another when the person I'm talking about is still nearby, in earshot. 2.Making noise during a quiet moment in a classroom, assembly, or auditorium meeting when a speaker is speaking and everyone else is silent. 3.Not answering a question directed at me in a timely fashion, leaving an uncomfortable silence for the person who asked the question.
The folkway I broke: Not interrupting people in conversations.

b. Describe your observations. How did you feel? How did others respond?
I felt rude constantly interrupting another. The other felt offended,and it took twice as long for the other person to finish her part of the conversation. The other person didn't go along with me and interrupt me back or just blow off or ignore my interrupting. I have noticed that interrupting in conversations frequently is rude in some contexts to some and not to others. For instance, I've noticed that New Yorkers, on the whole, seem to have fast paced, interruptive style of talking, whereas people from some other places seem to have astyle of speaking which doesn't include or appreciate interrupting. It's kind of an individual preference based on the people, place, and particular situation.

c. What insights into how norms function did you gain?
I really learned that norms vary from place to place or person to person. I kind of think people like to violate norms sometimes just for relief from them or for mischievous reasons;just to play. Like, I think people like those candid camera shows and the new spy t.v. shows where the shows put ordinary people into unusual situations to see how they'll respond. I think that some folkways are more important than others for sure. For instance, I think that not cutting in lines is more important than wearing a sweat outfit with spike
heel shoes to a ball game. Because, in the first case, one
has personally violated someone else's
personal space and place in line,whereas in the second situation,one has not violated another's personal space and place,but has just exhibited one's style preference and another can either agree with this style preference thinking it cool or amusing or ridiculous, stupid, or
not like it at all,
but this is just an opinion or a preference response by others to a seemingly insignificant folkway violation.
3. Submit your answers by 5:00 p.m. Sunday Oct. 28th to the appropriate answer boxes at: http://test.lanecc.edu/saltj/204oSectionD.tp3

4. Post your answers to the Section D Conference on the course WebBoard (http://slint.lanecc.edu:8080/~saltj) so that students in the course can see what other students did and what insights they gained into how norms function.