Social Psychology Network

As mentioned in the textbook, norms are prescriptions for accepted or expected behaviors. Your assignment is to violate one of the five norms listed below:

1. Sing loudly on a public bus, subway, or train.

2. Position yourself six inches from an acquaintance's nose during a conversation.

3. Stand on your chair in a restaurant and recite the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance.

4. Continuously jump up and down while waiting in a check-out line at a grocery store.

5. Get into an elevator that is crowded with strangers, and after the doors close, introduce yourself to the group.

PLEASE READ BEFORE STARTING: You may also violate any other norm you choose, as long as you don't risk harming yourself or others, and as long as your behavior doesn't reflect badly on the University or this class (if you're not sure, please consult with Professor Plous). For example, you should not do anything that breaks a law, disrupts a class or public event, involves sexual behavior or sexually explicit speech, hurts or threatens others, or includes taking or damaging other people's property -- such norm violations will result in a score of zero.

Turn in a description of the norm you violated, the way you felt, and the reactions people had to you. For example, you might describe whether the experience was uncomfortable, fun, liberating, scary, or something else. Or you might discuss the social psychology of other people's reactions to you. Later in the semester, Professor Plous will share a few of these accounts with the class. If you prefer that your account not be shared publicly, simply type "Do not share" on your assignment.

To receive full credit, you must submit via Moodle a one-page, double-spaced PDF document that has your name on it and uses 1" margins and 12-point font. Papers submitted in non-PDF format will receive half credit (PDF is required because the export and file combination system of Moodle and Adobe Acrobat don't work with other file formats, such as Word, Pages, and txt). No time extensions will be given except in cases of a family or medical emergency, so please be sure to upload your paper well before class on the day that it's due.

This assignment is intended to be engaging and informative, but you can opt out of it if you prefer. As stated in the course syllabus: "If at any point you prefer not to complete an assignment (or if your attempt to complete it is unsuccessful), you can still receive full credit by turning in a one-page report discussing the psychological factors that prevented you from carrying out the assignment."

Also, you're welcome to discuss norm violation ideas with Professor Plous, the TAs, or fellow students, and to email Professor Plous photos or videos that friends take of you violating a norm, but as with all assignments in this class, you should execute and write up all work individually.