SA 21: Introduction to Sociology & Anthropology

Written Report
Canicosa, Wrench Chester | Gonzales, Joanna Franchesca
Quion, Ellen Mae | Reyes, Earl Christian
5 BS Biology
Breaching Experiment: Taking a Bath at McDonalds
1. What is the norm that you violated and what are its functions?
The norm for proper use of public facilities, particularly the fast food restaurant
restrooms, was violated in this breaching experiment. The restroom within fastfood
restaurants are designed to function not for bathing or showering.
The proper attire and attitude of customers in McDonalds Katipunan was also another
violated norm. Proper attire functions as a projection of desired public image. In this
case, it is the norm to dress in casual clothing appropriate for outside wear. Proper
attitude in public was also tested.
2. Describe the setting. Where did the norm violation take place? How many and what types of
people were there?
The breaching experiment was executed in McDonalds Katipunan around 12 noon on
January 26, 2015. The norm violation took place in three main areas: the restroom, the
dining area, and the counter. The people were varied from preteens to the elderly.
Majority were adults, amounting to at least 75% of the people present.
3. Describe the incident. What happened?
The three people who executed the breaching experiment entered the restaurant premises
dressed in clothes usually worn at home, or what may be called pambahay attire. They
were carrying toiletries and supplies usually used for bathing, such as pails and water
dippers. Upon entering the restaurant, they immediately went to the restroom and
simulated the act of bathing by wetting their hair and wearing towels and bathrobes,
along with acts of the boy brushing his teeth and one of the girls putting on a face mask.
They then exited the bathroom and walked through the dining area to elicit reactions, and
they proceeded to the counter to ask for a glass of water.
4. How did you feel as you were violating the norm? Why?
The participants felt excited at first during planning, but upon time of executing the
breaching experiment, they felt nervous and embarrassed because of the nature of the
activity itself and the reactions they received. Meanwhile, the observers had to act aloof
while feeling secondary nervousness from their peers. This was to not divulge the nature

of the experiment. The secondary nervousness was due to them being involved in the
planning process, and taking note of any possible reactions.
5. Did people react the way you expected? Explain.
The groups expectation was that the experiment would elicit laughter, as well as confusion
and stares from the people watching. The cashiers at the counter were also expected to feel
similarly.
After the experiment was performed, a general reaction of confusion was observed among
the people in the place. Someone seemed to have figured out that it was a social experiment.
People were mostly smiling as to show amusement as the situation, while walking customers
did a double take upon seeing them walking out of the restaurant. In general, expectations of
the peoples reactions were mostly met.
The restaurant staff also responded as expected, with the guard approaching the restrooms to
escort them out of the premises. The staff also followed them as they went out of the
restaurant displaying a general sense of confusion.
6. What does the experiment tell you about norms and behavior?
Firstly, the experiment tells us that norms can vary depending on the place and time. Such
norms tend to influence behavior and expectations of behavior within particular contexts. For
this particular norm, the behavior displayed was not expected by other people because
McDonalds is situated in a public context, and social structure here dictates that people tend
to use restrooms only for quick relief & grooming, not for more personal uses such as
bathing or showering. It was noted that this form of breaching did not elicit long-lasting
reactions because the participants left immediately this notes the unchanging views
regarding the norm and behavior in general.