Description of the norm violated and why the choice it.
Description of setting chosen (physical and social) and why.
Specific description of how I felt before, during and after the experience.
Specific description of how other people responded (verbally and/or non-verbally) to the violation
Conclusion
What did I learn about norms and social control?
What did I learn about myself as a social being?
What other observations can you make about the assignment?
Sociology: Norm Violation: Reporting to the classroom without text books for the course
Description of the norm violated and why the choice it.
I entered the classroom with no books for the course even though my professor knew that I had books for that course. I choose this norm violation to see how my professor would react to me sitting in the class while other students were citing work from their text and I sat gazing at him. It is the norm at my university for students to carry text books for that particular course to follow along with lectures as portions are cited for verification.
Description of setting chosen (physical and social) and why.
The setting was a Biology class and it was held after the lunch break. As students assembled for the session I walked in as everyone else without any books to write my work neither text for the course. Importantly, I did not attempt looking in another student’s book since that is not the norm either. This was the most appropriate setting for me to demonstrate a norm violation without being punished severely or have anyone else chastised.
As I continued gazing at the lecturer with intent, he was forced to ask me where my text was. My explanation was that someone snatched the bag I carried with my text books during the lunch break. The next question was whether I knew who it was. My response was that I was not sure, but hoped that it will be returned because I took it to be a prank. It was then that he reminded me what the norm was and that I could not in class without my text. Subsequently, I was asked to excuse myself.
Specific description of how I felt before, during and after the experience.
Really, I felt somewhat out of place being the only student in my class without the text book. During the lesson it became more uncomfortable when some students noticed and began giving me a smeared look every now and then. It would appear that my colleagues noticed before my professor did that I showed up for class without any text books neither writing material.
Maybe, if I were not staring at him he might have never suspected. This was my deliberate attempt to get his attention and carry out my motive of norm violation. However, I became embarrassed when he asked me, politely, to leave the class and take care of the issue of finding my bag with the required text book.
After I left the class I was confused and began asking myself why I did this norm violation anyway. It was a mixed heavy feeling which was I could not explain. Precisely, it led me to thinking about on complying with the norms rather than violating them since I loved being in class and participating in discussions about my course.
Specific description of how other people responded (verbally and/or non-verbally) to the violation
The specific description of how other people reacted pertained mainly, towards my colleagues in the class. It would appear that they were willing to let me use their text during class activities. However, that was a norm violation too at my university. Each student was responsible for carrying his/her text book which could have been purchased from the book store before each semester begins.
Grants were offered in assisting students to purchase books. As such, arriving in the classroom without text books was not a very good excuse. My situation, even though reasonable was yet unacceptable from the point of view of my professor as well as fellow students. When books are stolen or lost they could be easily recovered through an insurance each student pays for that purpose. As such, this incident led to chain of reactions involving my professor, colleagues and the book store staff.
Conclusion
What did I learn about norms and social control?
I learnt that even though norms are no laws they are a powerful way to enforce social control in any organization or social structure. Norms are the people’s yard stick through which they measure ways of following patterns realizing inappropriate behaviors within the society.
What did I learn about myself as a social being?
As a social being I leant that I am a part of the whole. Therefore, in order for me to fit in and take my place I must comply with the norms of my society whether it is my school, family, club or class.
What other observations can you make about the assignment?
This assignment carried with it some interesting lessons. It forced students into operating outside the confines of a norm and just experience how it feels to function outside of the measures society put on individuals. Also, it allowed each one to see how breaking away from normal practices carried with it social penalties, which may not be laws, but they still exercise social control.
