BREAKING A NORM

Aubrey Lopez

WHAT IS A NORM?

Norms are the agreed-upon expectations and rules by which a culture guides the behavior of its members in any given situation.

There are 4 types of norms.

Folkway

Mores

Taboo

Laws

WHAT TYPE OF NORM DID I BREAK?

In this experiment, I broke a folkway.

Folkways, sometimes known as “conventions” or “customs,” are standards of behavior that are socially approved but not morally significant.

WHAT WAS DO N E TO BREAK THIS NO RM?

During this experiment, as I walked through the halls each passing period, I would obnoxiously compliment every person with a white shirt by saying, “WHOA NICE WHITE SHIRT!”

HOW I FELT AS I BROKE THE NORM

I felt super obnoxious and annoying as I broke the norm in complimenting complete strangers in the hallway.

WHY I FELT THIS WAY

Speaking to random people, made me feel like an alien to others when they’d look at me surprised and awkwardly say thanks.

PEOPLE’S REACTIONS

People did act how I expected them to act, awkward and shy toward the fact that I was so impressed with the white shirt they were wearing.

WHAT I L EAR NED AB OU T BREAKIN G THE NO RM

The norm for walking in the hallways would be to keep to yourself and your friends, however I didn’t do that.

In todays society, to get out of your way to be nice isn’t really accepted, it makes you weird and obnoxious.