Social Norms and Observations

Social Norms in Action

Reflecting on Structure and Agency

• Returning to social norms.
• Witnessing social norms in action.

Critical Reflection Prompt

• What was more influential in your enrolment in the Tertiary Foundation Certificate, 'social structures' or 'agency'?

The Question of Conformity

• If we can do whatever we want, why do we do what others do?

Definition of Social Norms

• Social norms are the unwritten ‘rules’ that are expected in a given situation.
• Social norms maintain the established social order by creating expectations about human behaviour and providing sanctions to maintain that behaviour.
• Social norms make social life more efficient but may discriminate against outsiders.
• Social norms constrain our agency, but the possibility of acting otherwise remains.

Unspoken Rules

• What are some unspoken rules of your household?

Breaking Social Norms

• Think of a time that you broke a social norm.
• What happened?
• How did you feel?

Reactions to Breaking Norms

• What do you do if someone breaks a social norm?

Observation Task

• In groups, go to a populated part of the campus.
• Subtly observe the social norms that you witness there.
• If appropriate, you can take photos (do not interfere with people/make them uncomfortable), and try not to have individually identified people.
• Return and share what you have found!