NAME _______________________________

Social Norm Violation Reflection

Directions: As we discussed in class, you must violate a social norm (an expected behavior or
tradition) and record your and others responses below.
1) What did you do? (Please write a few sentences, so that if you do not explain it in class, I
will understand.)

2) How did you feel (in terms of anxiety/nerves) before, during and after the event? Any
physiological arousal?

3) How did others (the crowd) react to what you did?

4) What is the social norm that you violated? Why do you believe this social norm exists?
(What purpose might this norm serve in our society/culture?)

NAME _________________________________________________________________
SOCIAL NORM VIOLATION Guidelines

1. You must intentionally violate a social norm and complete the

attached write-up to turn in on Monday 4/20/2015.
2. A social norm is basically an unwritten rule in society. You should feel
some level of discomfort in the process, and others should have a
reaction to your behavior.

a. Causing a scene or acting obnoxious is NOT violating a norm.

Your behavior must break a common, yet often unspoken, rule.

i. Violation examples: Cutting in line, allowing your cell phone
to ring in a crowded theater, asking for someones seat on
the bus/in the library/cafeteria, etc.
ii. I can offer plenty of examples but I do not want to impede on
the creativity of the classif you need more examples
please see me outside of class!
b. You must remember to respect the safety of those around you and
the rules of the school.
c. If any staff members report an unplanned disruption to their
learning environment,
your reflection will
receive a zero.
d. DO NOT BREAK THE
LAW!
e. Please think through
your process before you
attempt the norm
violation; if anyone
should be given
warning, take care of
that first.
3. Your reflection should be clear
and insightful.