Deviation from a Social Norm Essay

The society has a set of rules and conventions that prescribe what constitutes acceptable behavior and what is not or out of order. The social norms guide the way people should conduct themselves or relate to each other. When we are growing up, we get to appreciate and practice these norms. For instance, it is abnormal for one to walk around naked or dressed in a manner that is unfit. Anyone who engages in activities that are considered to be outside the norms is perceived to be abnormal. I grew up knowing that every shoe is worn in a specific foot. I decided to deviate from the norm, as part of a mini-experiment, by wearing the right show on the left foot and the left shoe on the right foot.

I work up last week Saturday morning with a deliberate intention of defying the norm. I decided that I will spend the whole day walking with shoes worn on opposite feet. I wanted to know how it feels to function and behave differently from other people. I also wanted to understand how other people perceive and feel about my behavior. Finally, I wanted to know how my relationship with other people is affected by the decision. None of my friends or family members was involved in the decision and only found me in the act of defiance. I made sure that I walk around unapologetically and oblivious of what was happening around. I never allowed my conscience to influence what other people think about me. Everyone was looking at me the first time I step out of my room. Others were thinking that I may have forgotten to dress appropriately but when I told them that I am in control of my dress code, they were left in awe.

The main reason I chose to dress this way was that I wanted to know how it feels to deviate from the norm. I have never known why the shoe manufacturers decided to decide for the consumers how to dress and use their products. Similarly, I have never known why people conform and make similar decisions. My defiance was informed by the desire to be in charge of my dress code and personal decisions. I am not good in following blindly what other people say or do without questioning the reason for their actions. Many of my friends had a lot of questions to ask about my reasons to dress in that manner. In fact, others avoided walking around with me claiming that it will put them in a bad light. I found myself isolated and on my own for the better part of the day. The mood around me was that of mistrust and suspicion. People never believed in my rational judgment. Even though I felt different from others, I never doubted my ability to make independent and right decisions. I was never moved by people speaking behind me or trying to impose their judgment and opinions on me.

This mini-experiment brought to light the psychological concept of conformity vs. deviance. The difference between conforming and defying and the impact it has on social relationship became so clear during the day. Conformity and deviance involve making decisions on whether to go along with the majority beliefs and norms versus making an independent decision of moving in the opposite direction.

The society has a set of rules and conventions that prescribe what constitutes acceptable behavior and what is not or out of order. The social norms guide the way people should conduct themselves or relate to each other. When we are growing up, we get to appreciate and practice these norms. For instance, it is abnormal for one to walk around naked or dressed in a manner that is unfit. Anyone who engages in activities that are considered to be outside the norms is perceived to be abnormal. I grew up knowing that every shoe is worn in a specific foot. I decided to deviate from the norm, as part of a mini-experiment, by wearing the right show on the left foot and the left shoe on the right foot.

I work up last week Saturday morning with a deliberate intention of defying the norm. I decided that I will spend the whole day walking with shoes worn on opposite feet. I wanted to know how it feels to function and behave differently from other people. I also wanted to understand how other people perceive and feel about my behavior. Finally, I wanted to know how my relationship with other people is affected by the decision. None of my friends or family members was involved in the decision and only found me in the act of defiance. I made sure that I walk around unapologetically and oblivious of what was happening around. I never allowed my conscience to influence what other people think about me. Everyone was looking at me the first time I step out of my room. Others were thinking that I may have forgotten to dress appropriately but when I told them that I am in control of my dress code, they were left in awe.

The main reason I chose to dress this way was that I wanted to know how it feels to deviate from the norm. I have never known why the shoe manufacturers decided to decide for the consumers how to dress and use their products. Similarly, I have never known why people conform and make similar decisions. My defiance was informed by the desire to be in charge of my dress code and personal decisions. I am not good in following blindly what other people say or do without questioning the reason for their actions. Many of my friends had a lot of questions to ask about my reasons to dress in that manner. In fact, others avoided walking around with me claiming that it will put them in a bad light. I found myself isolated and on my own for the better part of the day. The mood around me was that of mistrust and suspicion. People never believed in my rational judgment. Even though I felt different from others, I never doubted my ability to make independent and right decisions. I was never moved by people speaking behind me or trying to impose their judgment and opinions on me.

This mini-experiment brought to light the psychological concept of conformity vs. deviance. The difference between conforming and defying and the impact it has on social relationship became so clear during the day. Conformity and deviance involve making decisions on whether to go along with the majority beliefs and norms versus making an independent decision of moving in the opposite direction.