I need to break a social norm for my psych class that is easy to do and predict results?Any easy ideas please?

Question

I just need a social norm that I can break, and well for now, predict reactions. It needs to be appropriate since it's for psych class but still interesting. Any good and easily done ideas?

Answer 1

I had an email from a manager asking me to help her with something so I replied in a way that was very uncharacteristic for me. (If read correctly, it sounded VERY sarcastic and just plain smart-a$$ed.) When she didn't immediately reply, I went to her and explained then asked the required questions for class. I also repeated everything co-workers would tell me - the facial expressions were worth it. The instructor I had said she had a male student walk up to females and kiss them (that's a little dangerous in this day and time but you could prob. predict the reactions). Good luck!

Answer 2

I had this very same experiment when I was an undergrad psych student. What I did was: cut in front of people in lines. It was great. I did it at the supermarket, fast food restaraunts, the student union food court, at my bank, etc. It was fun to notice the different reactions, and before I did it I would look at the people in line and try to predict who would get pissed. I also varied in the way I dressed to see if people would let me slide more when I was dressed nice (slacks, sports jacket) than when I was dressed like a bum. (torn jeans, t-shirt, sandals.)
I had a great time and got an A on it.

Answer 3

Not saying hello to anyone(?) No please, no thank you or you're welcome. No handshake when meeting someone but instead just staring at the person after they've introduced themselves. How about not looking at others when they are speaking or when you are speaking. To add to what someone else mentioned, how about keeping one's cellphone on one's desk while the ringer is left on. And how about walking past someone while talking loudly on one's cellphone instead of going off to the side of the room for the conversation. Also, wearing a baseball cap indoors especially at work or in school.

Answer 4

Ride an elevator a few times, but face the back of the elevator instead of the doors. People will look at you like you're nuts.

Answer 5

A classic one is sitting next to people too close in public areas.. violating rules of private space. For example.. go to the library and find a table with only person there. Usually, we would seat ourselves at least one seat away if not in the furthest seat from that person. But u can sit right next to them. Then your dependent variable can be how long it takes for the person get up and leave, or move chair further away. Can compare for when you sit chair next to them versus chair across from them. Or could do a same-sex versus oppposite sex independent variable.. do they get up faster if the person who sits next to them is of the opposite sex.

Answer 6

Here's one thats very simple...that I tried once. Stare at people.... or hold eye contact longer than usual. We're trained that this is rude, or someone how an unspoken invasion of privacy. People have funny reactions to it, and its nothing drastic like changing you're appearance or doing something illegal.

Answer 7

If you are a woman, you might offer to carry something heavy for a man, or open a door for him.

Answer 8

Sit in the teacher seat? Maybe stand on the desk?

Answer 9

I have so many ideas but then I realize that there are some universities that still fret over political correctness.

Answer 10

lip kiss your sister a second too long and get slapped.