Deviating Social Norms
It is deemed common sense to avoid invading someone’s personal space unless absolutely necessary, such as when entering a crowded elevator, for example. It has become a norm in society to respect other’s personal space, typically a bubble of one to four feet. Norms are rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members (Macionis, 2014, p. 59). For example, when entering a lecture hall, the incoming student would typically avoid occupying the seat directly next to someone else but instead would search for a seat with nobody flanking it on either side. This norm of respecting personal space has become so ingrained in our everyday lives that it has become instinctual and is now considered common sense. While personal
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Violating social norms contrast with the basics of socialization that have been instilled in our minds. From a young age, we are constantly reminded to respect other’s personal space and by getting to close, we are making them uncomfortable. My deviance from the norm proved this to be true. The girl’s unease was evident, however, there are several circumstances that could have resulted in a different reaction. If a guy purposefully sat next to a girl, this might be perceived as an attempt at flirting with the girl. This assumption would either make the position considerably more uncomfortable or shift the tension to that of mutual attraction. Although there are a multitude of variables in this particular incident, one variable that is imperative to be considered is the importance the person places upon their personal space. Certain individuals place an extensive amount of importance upon their personal space and when a stranger invades this designated bubble, it enrages the victim. This compares to road rage; it is a norm to abstain cutting someone off on the road because it is rude and endangers both parties. When a driver gets cut off by someone else, they become irate. Some people are capable of controlling their temper with more success than others, however, it is the ones that cannot control their temper that cause it to become a dangerous situation. When deviating from a social norm, the consequences must be considered beforehand in order to deter any possibly dangerous and threatening
Violating social norms contrast with the basics of socialization that have been instilled in our minds. From a young age, we are constantly reminded to respect other’s personal space and by getting to close, we are making them uncomfortable. My deviance from the norm proved this to be true. The girl’s unease was evident, however, there are several circumstances that could have resulted in a different reaction. If a guy purposefully sat next to a girl, this might be perceived as an attempt at flirting with the girl. This assumption would either make the position considerably more uncomfortable or shift the tension to that of mutual attraction. Although there are a multitude of variables in this particular incident, one variable that is imperative to be considered is the importance the person places upon their personal space. Certain individuals place an extensive amount of importance upon their personal space and when a stranger invades this designated bubble, it enrages the victim. This compares to road rage; it is a norm to abstain cutting someone off on the road because it is rude and endangers both parties. When a driver gets cut off by someone else, they become irate. Some people are capable of controlling their temper with more success than others, however, it is the ones that cannot control their temper that cause it to become a dangerous situation. When deviating from a social norm, the consequences must be considered beforehand in order to deter any possibly dangerous and threatening