EPT
Breaking a Social Norm
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Drizzt3
United States189 Posts
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Integra
Sweden5626 Posts
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PassionFruit
294 Posts
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Freeze967
United States230 Posts
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ChristianS
United States3304 Posts
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Barbiero
Brazil5259 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:14 PassionFruit wrote: Don't do the assignment. This would be epic in so many levels! | ||
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Spekulatius
Germany2413 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:14 PassionFruit wrote: Don't do the assignment. That's insanely clever. | ||
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ChristianS
United States3304 Posts
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Spekulatius
Germany2413 Posts
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Kurr
Canada2338 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:14 PassionFruit wrote: Don't do the assignment. By not doing the assignment, he would be doing the assignment. Thus, that is an impossible task. Also, his teacher would fail him. | ||
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PassionFruit
294 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:20 Kurr wrote: By not doing the assignment, he would be doing the assignment. Thus, that is an impossible task. Also, his teacher would fail him. Tell your classmates, friends, family, and teacher that you're not doing the assignment. Record how they react. Turn it in. Get an A. | ||
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Attican
Denmark531 Posts
Do a silly walk. | ||
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ArcticFox
United States1092 Posts
I, on the other hand, was more creative. I went to the food court at various times through the night (not close enough that the same people would be there), walked up to the cashier (different restaurant each time!) who would normally take my order, and instead just stood there and made small talk. Talked about the weather, the sports teams, whatever. Depending on how patient the cashier was, somewhere between 2-5 minutes later, I would just say "see ya" and walk away without ordering anything, like it was the most natural thing in the world. The results were varied between annoyed, amused, and just plain confused. Be sure to also note the attitude and anxiety of the people behind you in line. I had everything from a guy who was about to kick my ass for wasting his time, to a group of ladies who thought it was hilarious, including a girl who thought I was made of balls and gave me her number after I walked away. Enjoy! | ||
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Praetorial
United States4241 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:14 PassionFruit wrote: Don't do the assignment. Post of the year right here! | ||
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Spekulatius
Germany2413 Posts
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Celestia
Mexico376 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:20 Kurr wrote: By not doing the assignment, he would be doing the assignment. Thus, that is an impossible task. Mind= blown. | ||
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Blisse
Canada3710 Posts
Compliment random strangers. Say how you feel about them out loud to them (if it's not an insult). Thank everyone for everything (waiter, bus driver, McDonald's staff). | ||
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Spekulatius
Germany2413 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:45 Blisse wrote: Talk to the person beside you when you're sitting on the bus, or talk to the bus driver. Compliment random strangers. I do that all the time. But I agree, I get weird looks sometimes. Not from the people I'm talking to or complimenting (if you're serious about it, they very much appreciate it), but from others. | ||
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GoShox
United States1845 Posts
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Shaetan
United States1175 Posts
Top comment if you're lazy: Answer a phone call in your psych class. Proceed to talk loudly. This is revenge for professors giving every psych class the same stupid fucking assignment. Bonus points for: -Shushing the professor if they interrupt you -Standing up, putting your hand over one ear and talking even louder if people start booing -Very obviously placing the phone call yourself (turn on the dial pad tones?) | ||
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Roe
Canada6002 Posts
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MightyAtom
Korea (South)1897 Posts
instead of doing something weird, first start with a list of common social norms, I reckon the trick is, it just needs to be slightly off, off enough to give people pause to question their own actions as the norm. Anyone can piss people off, but to take a really common norm that seems as though it is reality, and shift it slightly, I think that would be genius, because there is a difference here between what is 'expected/polite' and what is simply unconscious expected/behavior. I think that is why the standing opposite direction in the elevator will always be the standard. | ||
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Froadac
United States6733 Posts
On May 10 2012 10:04 MightyAtom wrote: I think, if you really want to get to the heart of it, instead of doing something weird, first start with a list of common social norms, I reckon the trick is, it just needs to be slightly off, off enough to give people pause to question their own actions as the norm. Anyone can piss people off, but to take a really common norm that seems as though it is reality, and shift it slightly, I think that would be genius, because there is a difference here between what is 'expected/polite' and what is simply unconscious expected/behavior. I think that is why the standing opposite direction in the elevator will always be the standard. ^ this. The best ones that my friends did were incredibly subtle, rather than being annoying. | ||
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GreYMisT
United States6736 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:09 Drizzt3 wrote: I have this breaking a social norm project for AP Psychology class. The assignment is to do something that is socially ridiculous/looked down upon, but not stupid enough that people know you're fucking with them. (Small Examples: Walking up a down escalator, sitting next to a couple at a restaurant). Anyone have a good idea? Thank you in advance for your input TL! I had to do this for a class in my psych major. Go to an elevator and just stand facing the back wall. Its awesome. | ||
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Roe
Canada6002 Posts
On May 10 2012 10:27 GreYMisT wrote: I had to do this for a class in my psych major. Go to an elevator and just stand facing the back wall. Its awesome. how would you know their reactions? | ||
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Froadac
United States6733 Posts
Have a friend go in with you? | ||
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Roe
Canada6002 Posts
Oh, I never have to do group projects | ||
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nanoscorp
United States1237 Posts
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Antimatterz
United States1010 Posts
You should do something like: | ||
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mYiKane
Canada1772 Posts
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Chef
10810 Posts
On May 10 2012 10:19 Froadac wrote: ^ this. The best ones that my friends did were incredibly subtle, rather than being annoying. Not necessarily subtle, just something that takes a social expectation which isn't totally rational and puts it under analysis. Like the guy who just stood in line and wasted people's time... clearly missed the point. There are objectively good reasons not to like that. But what about playing with gender roles? Guys shake hands with each other, what if you hug other guys? That could be kind of awkward, but not really for good reasons since we can easily say girls hug each other and guys as a greeting in our culture. (ok, sometimes you see guys hug each other or bro hug, but pretty rarely). Cross dressing is an option, though not that great since it already happens anyway. It takes a little bit of thinking to get a clever one, because a lot of this is automatic and you're looking to change something meaningful. You can't just walk backwards like a moron, or say "FRANK WIMBLEDON" after every 5th step as tho you were challenging some nonsensical and oppressive norm. It's gotta be something that makes you think 'why do we expect that?' Like eating 'finger food' with a knife and fork (actually I do that anyway, but I always get comments and I'm like "cause I don't want my hands super greasy and gross, and finger food tends to be grosser than normal food to touch" ... there was a thread about that recently lol). | ||
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Railxp
Hong Kong1313 Posts
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Desires
Canada63 Posts
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MaReK
Australia446 Posts
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Luepert
United States1934 Posts
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Uldridge
Belgium5194 Posts
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Liquid`Jinro
Sweden33719 Posts
Thank everyone for everything (waiter, bus driver, McDonald's staff). I do this already o.o | ||
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StarStruck
25339 Posts
Only problem is a lot of uni-students don't necessarily do their assignments on time. As for the naked idea. Yeah, that will get you arrested. I don't recommend it. Same, here wtf. Show some common courtesy. This wreaks of the free hugs guy. Jog backwards everywhere. When you come to a standstill. Read a book backwards. Chew bubblegum everywhere and blow a bubble everytime. TALK REALLY LOUD. If it's morning. Say good evening to everyone you come across and shake their hand. Try to make a conversation with everyone while continuing to shake their hand until they pull away. If its evening tell everyone good morning. | ||
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killa_robot
Canada1884 Posts
Also the mentally handicap already do what the poster above me suggested, so they'll just think you're retarded. | ||
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TheToast
United States4808 Posts
Best AP project you will ever do. | ||
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GreYMisT
United States6736 Posts
So things like wearing your cloths inside out, wearing a sandal on one foot and a tennis shoe on the other, wearing sunglasses indoors, Greet people with a formal "Sir" and "Lady" in front of their names. Basically anything that you can't come up with a good reason that people don't do. | ||
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Wrongspeedy
United States1655 Posts
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StarStruck
25339 Posts
On May 10 2012 13:35 killa_robot wrote: Wear your headphones and sing out loud in public (obviously try not to pick songs that are inappriopriate in public). Also the mentally handicap already do what the poster above me suggested, so they'll just think you're retarded. Talking really loud? How about whispering into everyone's ear? The other ones still work though. Come to think of it. Wouldn't you expect many people to give you the what the fuck look in either case or smile? | ||
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Antimatterz
United States1010 Posts
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StarStruck
25339 Posts
It's incredibly fun. | ||
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n.DieJokes
United States3443 Posts
I think that's what you meant. This question and that answer have been around longer than I've been alive Leave both hands down your pants while you hang out in lecture | ||
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StarStruck
25339 Posts
How about everytime you talk you hold both of your hands right in the air? Oh, I love that one. :D | ||
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Liquid`Jinro
Sweden33719 Posts
On May 10 2012 13:35 killa_robot wrote: Wear your headphones and sing out loud in public (obviously try not to pick songs that are inappriopriate in public). Also the mentally handicap already do what the poster above me suggested, so they'll just think you're retarded. Already do this too. | ||
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Abstinence
United States328 Posts
Or, if you're a guy, go to the bathroom with your friends and take pictures in the mirror. Public bathrooms. | ||
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Digitalis
United States1043 Posts
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Synwave
United States2803 Posts
I imagine you will get some incredibly odd looks. It isn't really a social taboo and yet I imagine the breaking of a simple social norm like that would invoke the reactions your looking to study. | ||
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MusicalPulse
United States162 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:24 PassionFruit wrote: Tell your classmates, friends, family, and teacher that you're not doing the assignment. Record how they react. Turn it in. Get an A. This is genius. | ||
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Emperor_Earth
United States824 Posts
Demand to post up if small or play pt/shoot 3s if big playing bball at local Y shake hands with left hand Ask for food to be made before you pay at fast food. If urinals open, wait in line behind one in use Stand just inside normal bubble/comfort zone. Keep that distance as they back off answer phones with silence When someone talks to you, write back your replies on pen and paper. Ask for a pen and paper first in voice after tbeir first words. ask questions with down inflection pitch, statements made in up inflection in pitch. sign your name upside down (turn paper around) Couple ideas to get you started on the spirit of the assignment | ||
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Attican
Denmark531 Posts
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Whitewing
United States7483 Posts
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Recognizable
Netherlands1552 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:14 PassionFruit wrote: Don't do the assignment. Oh my, this is perfect. | ||
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Velr
Switzerland10924 Posts
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Diamond
United States10796 Posts
Put it on in class and turn on Rebecca Black's "Friday" and crank that shit. Pretend to enjoy it. Or the don't do the assignment one, that's pretty badass too. | ||
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rrwrwx
United States247 Posts
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AmericanUmlaut
Germany2597 Posts
He fulfilled it by swimming very slowly in the fast lane at the university pool. There was a gay couple in his class who held hands everywhere they went for a week. I would suggest just standing slightly too close to people when you're talking to them. You don't realize how much the proper distance to stand from someone is ingrained in us until you spend time with people from cultures with a different standard, and spend all your time subconsciously jockeying for position. | ||
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TheRealPaciFist
United States1049 Posts
On May 10 2012 08:34 ArcticFox wrote: I had this assignment in my Psych class like 10 years ago when I was in college, and was assigned a partner. My partner was uncreative, and just walked around backwards while we did everything. People in general just thought he was stupid. I, on the other hand, was more creative. I went to the food court at various times through the night (not close enough that the same people would be there), walked up to the cashier (different restaurant each time!) who would normally take my order, and instead just stood there and made small talk. Talked about the weather, the sports teams, whatever. Depending on how patient the cashier was, somewhere between 2-5 minutes later, I would just say "see ya" and walk away without ordering anything, like it was the most natural thing in the world. The results were varied between annoyed, amused, and just plain confused. Be sure to also note the attitude and anxiety of the people behind you in line. I had everything from a guy who was about to kick my ass for wasting his time, to a group of ladies who thought it was hilarious, including a girl who thought I was made of balls and gave me her number after I walked away. Enjoy! On May 10 2012 10:27 GreYMisT wrote: I had to do this for a class in my psych major. Go to an elevator and just stand facing the back wall. Its awesome. I laughed at those two, so good. On May 10 2012 13:56 StarStruck wrote: I agree Antimatterz. Shake their hand and compliment them on everything. Keep the conversation going until they stop shaking your hand or some other mark. It's incredibly fun. I wish I was a better conversationalist. Also, from the reddit thread: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/14/nyregion/14subway.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&position And lastly, a small idea: Sing/talk to yourself in one accent, then talk to strangers (after they have overheard you singing) in a completely different accent. Or do something similar, I'm sure there's a lot that can be done with speech Or walk up to everyone and ask "Why are you doing that?" as if the subject of your question was obvious, and see how they interpret it (feed people just a little, and let their imaginations and personal situations fill in the rest) | ||
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Freeze967
United States230 Posts
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