Verified Document

Social Research -- Public Behavior Term Paper

This was the most consistent pattern observed in connection with this experiment. The researcher concluded that this was a function of the convergence of two independent social norms and expectations: namely, the expectation of politeness with respect to the dependent variable (i.e. door-holding behavior) and the independent social norm and expectation that males will be chivalrous in their interactions with females in virtually all ordinary circumstances, including those involving complete strangers. The significance of this pattern is even greater in relation to the other categories of patterns observed. For example, generally, the experimenter determined whether or not the relative distance and speed between successive individuals was appropriate to create an expectation that the door holding or non-door holding behavior would be relevant for inclusion. if, in the experimenter's best attempt at an objective judgment, the individuals were too far from one another and/or that the second individual was moving too slowly to create a door-holding expectation, the experimenter did not record the failure to hold the door as an instance of non-door holding. In 4 specific instances, male subjects were observed waiting for females who were following them at a distance and/or pace at which the experimenter would not have recorded a non-door-holding event.

Similarly, in most cases, subjects talking on cell phones and individuals engaged in conversations with others as they exited made less of an effort to hold doors for individuals following behind them than subjects who were alone and not using cell phones. However, on two occasions (each) male subjects talking on cell phones and male subjects actively engaged in conversation with others as they exited did hold doors for individuals following them. In all four cases, the individual following was a female or a pair of females.

The Apparent Availability of Plausible Excuses

The experimenter observed that subjects actively engaged in conversations with others and/or using cell phones as they entered or exited the doorway almost never held doors except when: (1) an individual following behind was very close; and (2) the subject was a male...

Otherwise, the fact that the subjects were engaged in a distraction seemed to significantly reduce their inclination to hold doors. However, the fact that the male subjects who were engaged in those distractions nevertheless held doors for females strongly suggests that the use of cell phones and the involvement in conversations with others provides more of an excuse to avoid holding doors than it actually accounts for reduced awareness. In order for the apparent distraction to have genuinely accounted for a reduction in situational awareness, it would have to have had a similar effect in all situations. Therefore, the fact that male subjects who were distracted still held doors for females indicates that the distractions are most likely relied upon as excuses for suspension of social norms that are ordinarily associated with specific expectations in general.
Apparent Attempts at Excusing Purposeful Norm Violations

The observer recorded several instances where is seemed that the subject did not hold the door despite being aware that someone was following closely enough to create an expectation of door holding. Specifically, on those occasions, the subject seemed to purposely exaggerate the urgency of his exit in conjunction with what seemed to be largely a show of an attempt to be polite by throwing the door open more widely than necessary. On those occasions, it seemed obvious that the subject was attempting to avoid following the social norm that was expected under the circumstances but in such a way as to mitigate any pejorative interpretations by the individual following or by coincidental observers.

References

Healey, J.F. (2008). Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class: The Sociology of Group

Conflict and Change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge.

Henslin, J.M. (2005). Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach. Boston:

Allyn and Bacon.

Macionis, J.J. (2006). Sociology. Hoboken, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Myers, D. And Spencer, S. (2007). Social Psychology. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Schaefer, R.T. (2006). Racial and Ethnic Groups. New York: Harper Collins.

Sources used in this document:
References

Healey, J.F. (2008). Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class: The Sociology of Group

Conflict and Change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge.

Henslin, J.M. (2005). Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach. Boston:

Allyn and Bacon.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Social Influences on Behavior
Words: 836 Length: 3 Document Type: Research Paper

Behavior Social Influences on Behavior The specific social setting in which an individual finds themselves can have profound effects on their behavior, and might even lead to behavioral changes that warrant therapeutic interventions, in some cases. At the same time, many of the changes in behavior that occur as a result of change sin social setting are entirely normal and even desirous based on certain social mores and customs. The following paragraphs

Social Influences on Behavior Human Behavior Depends
Words: 1180 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Social Influences on Behavior Human behavior depends on feedback from the environment consisting of climatic, material and human factors. Feedback from individuals in the environment is a crucial factor in determining human behavior. The extent to which behavior is shaped by the presence or feedback of others varies from person to person. Certain individuals, such as those living in collectivistic societies, tend to be more sensitive to social influences, whereas others

Social Influences on Behaviour Social Influences on
Words: 1307 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Social Influences on Behaviour Social Influences on Behavior Free-Riding Groupthink People differ in their views and actions when they are responsible for them and when not. Particularly speaking in the context of society and group, people tend to adopt the most favorable behavior so that they are cherished for success and not blamed for failure. The psychological behavior changes from situation to situation. Social Influences on Behavior There is a famous saying man is a social

Social Influences How Behavior Differs
Words: 747 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Example The same group of competitive students, after college acceptance letters have been mailed, goes together on a senior trip, for one last time. A a. Social facilitation: Students are on their best behavior for the period before the trip, because they know that any infraction may result in its cancellation, which will injure the entire group. A b. Co-actors: The student senior class as a whole feels a sense of unity, because it is

Social Influence and Persuasion
Words: 604 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Social Influence and Persuasion Social influence is believed to occur when an individual's emotions, behaviors, or opinions are influenced by others'. Compliance, identification, internalization are the three broad varieties of social influence that have since been identified. Compliance occurs when people agree with others' opinions while keeping their dissenting opinions private. Identification is normally associated with very popular people like the celebrities. Such people easily influence people who believe in them.

Social Psychology Examining the Principles of Persuasion Influencing...
Words: 3075 Length: 9 Document Type: Essay

Social Psychology: Examining the Principles of Persuasion Influencing Group Behavior Introduction & Outline of the Research Evaluation Concepts of Social Psychology Attitudes and Persuasion Social Identity Theory Social Influences Cultural and Gender Influences Social Psychology: Examining the Principles of Persuasion Influencing Group Behavior Introduction & Outline of the Essay Social psychology deals with different aspects of social life and social behavior. People not only have feelings and opinions about nearly everything they come into contact with, but the argument has

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now