We all have free will to do anything at all, yet at the same time we don't as we are all restricted by society in some way. For instance driving down the street, you could randomly jump out of the car and start screaming. But nobody does this because it's just not expected to happen. I just think it's interesting to think that we actually *can* do anything but are indirectly and passivly bounded by our expectations. I find this is also a problem when people want to 'change' themselves in some way. I think it's difficulty because they know everyone is expecting them to act as they always would. What do you think?
2007-02-09 13:53:42 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
You're right. People do have certain general expectations from everyone. Going into detail - once people get to know a person they usually don't like to see that person change even if it's for the better.
Some of this is common sense, knowing right from wrong and knowing what will keep us safe and out of danger.
Some of this is learned behavior - we must act a certain way to be accepted by society and another way just to be accepted by family and friends.
The people who do live "out of the box" are looked upon as strange and eccentric.
It's OK and accepted if you have a lot of money and are eccentric. Otherwise, you're just considered strange and abnormal.
People naturally want to fit in and to be accepted by society. So most of us are generally going to follow the group like sheep. Some follow the group, but try to get some of the rules changed. Those are grass roots movements.
So, there are people out there bucking the system and trying to change the rules of society. You'll find them if you just look in the right places.
I found this to be a very interesting question!
2007-02-09 15:20:29 · answer #1 · answered by Sarah S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats true, but for safety reasons - most of them are common sense right? No one would jump out of a car and start doing anything like that because society pounds us with images of what would happen if you DIDN'T do what was expected of you.
In a way, it's a co-dependant relationship - yes, you are free to do things, but society's rules restrict you from some of them. Look at it as a good thing - if society didn't have certain rules to follow, the the vast freedom could also be a risk to everyone else.
2007-02-09 22:03:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you are blooming and growing and that you should just BURST OUT at least once to see what happens. Not in church, but you know what I mean. There is a place in your mind that you would just LOVE to break social mores. I say DO IT!! You sound young and polite. Do something that surprises everyone or at least someone. Something that you won't be punished by "society" for. Free yourself and let your spirit light up and Surprise Some of Those People. You can do it. I can tell by the way you write. Wish I could BE there!! Start weaving your web of thoughts and plan a 'happening' just your secret style!! Good Luck!! @8-)
2007-02-09 23:16:29 · answer #3 · answered by Dovey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a difference between manners and freedoms. Such as, if a person was Muslim, people (very rude and stereotyping people, but thsi is just an example) could think less of you for it, but you still have the rights to BE Muslim, but you can't stop people from being Muslim. Also, there is is difference between law and freedom. As Americans (sorry - is there a Yahoo! Europe and a Yahoo! Asia and stuff or is there just one site...) we have basic freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly, petition, etc. But there are laws. Yes, you have the right to religion, but that doesn't mean that you can burn down a person's house becuase your religion says you can. If you stopped driving in the street and got out and ran around screaming, you would probably be arrested for disturbing the peace and a dozen tons of traffic laws.
Does that answer your question?
2007-02-09 22:06:47 · answer #4 · answered by Jenny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most amazing thing about any process involving change, is that the ability is always there. We can really do anything if we just put our mind to it. I think most people don't do certain things, because a little of society, parenting, unwritten rules have been driven into our brains creating a pathway, and it is easier to stick to what you know then to change the norm. It can sometimes seem overwhelming or even difficult to change, when all you have to do, is simply change a path in your brain. It's just how much are you willing to feel uncomfortable with the change, because it's so easy to just stick with the worn path in front of you.
2007-02-09 22:52:30 · answer #5 · answered by pecksun8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I totally agree. As I was going to school, my mother was a teacher in the same district as me. A lot of my friends had her too. I was expected to act like the nice little school girl so i wouldn't embarass her. I tried so hard. All of my Jr High, and High School teachers were aware of who I was. And finally i said screw this, jumped out of my "good girl" persona my Sr. year. I became a little bit more rambunctious. And had to start seeing the school counselor. I had to retreat to the "good girl"
until I went to college. And that is a whole nother story.
2007-02-09 22:10:32 · answer #6 · answered by izzitonme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can do anything - but why would you want to?
no one is bound by anything. i can do whatever i want (goverened by law) - that doesn't mean i want too. or that it serves a purpose.
the people who want to change themselves can do so at any time, but in small steps. but if their worried about how people think of them - that's their problem. also to note - no one cares about other's. they only care about themselves - they would never notice anything too new on someone.
i don't follow peer pressure, fads, media concerns, etc. i follow the law though. people feel they have to follow a given guideline - or - be banned from society. i don't follow social norms, some call me weird, other's don't - i personally don't care one way or another.
2007-02-09 23:10:31 · answer #7 · answered by mike s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea this kinda drove me crazy so I left my family in the UK at 18(kinda expected) so I could live with my boyfriend I met over the internet (a little unexpected) in New York (definatly unexpected) and then married him at 19 after 5 months of knowing him because he just is that great (verging on socially insane, irrisponcible and stupid, acording to my family) but I'm happy and I'm FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
2007-02-10 00:42:33 · answer #8 · answered by Hayley A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drop expectations. Drop thinking. That's freedom.
2007-02-09 22:21:11 · answer #9 · answered by donothing555 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes another reason of the proof of God's existance. We have the free will to do as we please, but for the most part, we know what actions are right and wrong, and what is socially acceptable and what isn't.
2007-02-09 21:58:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋