帮写英文议论文，Effects of Breaking a Social Norm

I. Introduction

As we know, social Norms are visible or invisible codes that that we consciously or subconsciously obey, which contributes to standardizing human behaviors and helping to build a more orderly and better world. However, breaking a social norm by showing certain actions enforces social prejudices and discrimination in the public concerning certain behaviors (Shaver, 2015). For example, it is appropriate to behave yourself in an elevator.

In the paper, I concentrate on the experiment of violating social norms, my plans and feelings before doing the experiment, as well as the reactions and thoughts of people after breaking the norm. At last, I will talk about what I learn from the project and make a conclusion in the end.

II. Before the social norm violation

According to Dr. Edward Hall(1966), an American anthropologist, there are four kinds of distance in interpersonal distance: public distance(12 to 15 feet), social distance(4 to 12 feet), personal distance(1.5 to 4 feet), intimate distance(6 to 18 inches). Generally speaking, we should maintain a distance of at least 4 feet from strangers to keep a social distance. Therefore, the social norm I am going to violate is that “we had better stand away from strangers in the open space”. I will violate this social norm by sitting with strangers who are sitting in the reading room alone, which is legal and doesn't put myself or anyone in danger. I carried out the project all by myself in the school reading room. Before doing this, I feel quiet excited and can’t wait to see what people will react.

III. During the social norm violation

When breaking the social norm, I will use the same way to conduct the experiment to reduce the effects due to unexpected factors. First, I selected 10 strangers(five are female and five are male) in the reading room, all of whom were sitting alone in the open space. Next, I pretended to watch my phone and walked directly to them. I tried to break the personal distance within four feet, which intruded their personal distance. Then, I waited ten minutes and observed their reactions. To be honest, I was a little tense and nervous at first and afraid of their scolding because there were adequate space I could choose. I tried to avoid eye contact with them and pretended to stay calm.

Description of people’s reactions

When I sat near the ten people, they reacted to me differently. Three people completely ignored me, totally absorbed in their books or phones. Five people glanced at me quickly and continue to do their business, but changed their posture a lot. For example, three of them stood upright from their relaxing or comfortable position. And the rest two people looked at me in astonishment but said nothing. Five minutes later, four males and two female started to pack their belongs and had the intention to leave.

IV. After the social norm violation

In order to know more about people’s thoughts to me, I introduced myself and explained to them that it was my class assignment. They all showed kindness to me and I sighed with relief. Then I asked them about their feelings at that time. They all felt quite uncomfortable or weird as I sat. Three people who ignored me said they would spare no efforts to study, and they didn’t care about who would sit near them. Five people expressed their opinions of awkwardness, and thought I intruded their personal distance, which didn’t make them feel comfortable. For example, changing posture is a way to express that they don't want to be disturbed. Two people thought it seriously violated their space and territory and was about to find another place.

In the end, I felt so excited because the project turned out to be quite successful. I was able to observe and collect information on how people in the reading room react to unusual behavior that is not in their social norm. I draw the conclusion that people pay more attention to their own private space in public, and we should not intrude into strangers’ personal space.

V. Conclusion

What I learned from this project about them is that social norms represents the rules of behavior that are highly considered and acceptable. Basically, people in the classroom sit across a few seats. If someone you don't know sits next to you and break into your personal distance, you' ll feel awkward. 

In conclusion, breaking social norms intentionally or unintentionally will make people feel uncomfortable. More seriously, you could even be fined or taken to prison if you break the laws.This explains the reason why it is particularly uncomfortable in crowded subway is that everyone's space is violated by others. So someone will take the subway with their eyes closed, which will greatly reduce the tension and discomfort caused by other people's invasion of space.

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