Reaction Paper 1*

Essay Instructions:

Reaction Paper 1 This assignment will help to reinforce the first four weeks of our course. It is designed for you to practice observing people, culture and social interaction. It also involves you engaging in “deviant” behavior by breaking a social norm in a particular setting and assessing the subsequent sanctions. Your entire paper should be at least 6-8 pages in length, typed, double-spaced in 12-point font with one-inch margins, pages numbered, your name on the upper left corner, and edited for spelling and grammatical errors. Make sure to provide accurate citations for any words that are not your own (follow ASA or APA style). Yes, you can label your "steps" but DO NOT use bullet points. Write in complete sentences with thoughtful responses. Write at a college level; minimize excessive spelling/grammatical errors (worth 1 point). Edit and spell-check! While it may be tempting to use some type of AI to assist with this assignment, please refrain from doing so. Remember, you all agreed at the beginning of the quarter to this in the form of academic integrity. Further, we take time to create original, inspiring paper prompts with questions that get you thinking sociologically. We respect you and your learning as students in this class. Please respect this effort and do your own work. We care most about what YOU have to say. Cite appropriately. Make sure to upload your Reaction Paper as either a WORD or PDF document. "PAGES" or "RTF" documents are unacceptable as Canvas cannot open them. If we cannot open your file, you will not receive credit. --------------- Step #1: Find a "Field Site" In order to focus your efforts, you need to find people and interactions to observe and engage. We call this a “field site,” where you can witness groups, people and interactions. You will be required to attend this site ALONE. Examples of places include: a sporting event, a coffee shop, a food court, a park, the mall, a farmer’s market, the beach, the airport, or any place where there are enough people around. You may need to switch your field site if there is not enough action or interaction. PLEASE DO NOT USE ANY LOCATION ON UCI'S CAMPUS. Step #2: Conduct a 30-Minute Observation When you have found your “field site,” go ALONE and conduct a 30-minute observation. Look for particular people you can watch and “get to know” just by observing them and their interactions. Take notes on paper, a laptop, a phone, etc. about everything you see. Make sure you stay for thirty minutes to really get to know your site. While you observe, make sure to focus on the following (you'll write about this all in Step #4): Identify and describe the field site (location). What are the sounds, smells, and sights you see? When did you go (time and date)? Be as detailed as possible in your description of the field site. What social norms (folkways, mores, taboos, and laws) do you see occurring in the field site? Are people following these norms? How do you know? Do you see anyone violating/breaking them? How do you know? What sanctions do you see taking place (think rewards and punishments)? What kinds of individuals do you see? What are their roles? What are their statuses and what status symbols do you observe? How are they behaving in their roles? Are their role performances successful…or strained? Choose ONE specific individual to focus on/write about in Step #4. What kinds of social interactions do you see? Who are the individuals, how are they interacting, and why do their interactions catch your attention? What conclusions can you make about the people you’ve been watching just by observing them? Choose ONE specific interaction to focus on/write about in Step #4.. Step #3: Engage in “Deviant Behavior” When you have finished observing your site, choose one particular norm that you want to intentionally “break” for the purposes of the assignment. Remember, please do not break a law. Otherwise, you run the risk of legal sanctions! Go ahead...engage in your chosen deviant behavior! As you do so, note the following (you'll write about this all in Step #4): What specific norm did you choose to break in the setting? Why did you choose that norm? Describe what happened during the breaking of your chosen norm. Be specific. What was it like engaging in your choice of deviant behavior? How did you feel? What sanctions took place when you were breaking the norm or after you engaged in the deviant behavior (think rewards and/or punishments)? Step #4: Report the Results & Apply the Sociological Imagination Once you have finished your observation and deviant behavior, it is time to report your results. Please be as detailed as possible, write in complete sentences (no bullet points) and make sure to answer ALL questions using this format below: First, address the four points in Step #2: Identify and describe the field site (location). What are the sounds, smells, and sights you see? When did you go (time and date)? Be as detailed as possible in your description of the field site. What social norms (folkways, mores, taboos, and laws) do you see occurring in the field site? Are people following these norms? How do you know? Do you see anyone violating/breaking them? How do you know? What sanctions do you see taking place (think rewards and punishments)? What kinds of individuals do you see? What are their roles? What are their statuses and what status symbols do you observe? How are they behaving in their roles? Are their role performances successful…or strained? Choose ONE specific individual to write about in detail. What kinds of social interactions do you see? Who are the individuals, how are they interacting, and why do their interactions catch your attention? What conclusions can you make about the people you’ve been watching just by observing them? Choose ONE specific interaction to write about in detail. Overall, what was it like to sit and observe others? Did you like/dislike conducting field work? Would you consider doing observations as a career? Why or why not? Next, address the four points in Step #3: What specific norm did you choose to break in the setting? Why did you choose that norm? Describe what happened during the breaking of your chosen norm. Be specific! What was it like engaging in your choice of deviant behavior? How did you feel? What sanctions took place when you were breaking the norm or after you engaged in the deviant behavior (think rewards and/or punishments)? How does having a sociological lens help you understand engaging in your deviant behavior and the sanctions that took place? ------------------ Once again, make sure to upload your Reaction Paper as either one entire WORD or PDF document. "PAGES" or "RTF" documents are unacceptable as Canvas cannot open them. If we cannot open your file, you will not receive credit. This paper is worth ten points (and 10% of your overall grade). Address each step thoughtfully and thoroughly and you will receive credit. Be as detailed as possible with your responses and write in complete sentences. Make sure to provide accurate citations for any words that are not your own (follow ASA or APA style). Yes, you can label your "steps" but DO NOT use bullet points. Write in complete sentences with thoughtful responses. Write at a college level; minimize excessive spelling/grammatical errors (worth 1 point). Edit and spell-check!

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Reaction Paper – Field Site Analysis Your Name Subject and Section Professor’s Name February 4, 2024 Humans have a rule that they follow unconsciously; it is considered the normal thing to do or what society considers to be correct; these are called societal norms. During socialization, when people pick up the norms, values, and behaviors of their community or culture, norms are frequently established (da Vinci, n.d.). Peers, families, schools, and the media all significantly influence how these standards are ingrained in people. In this paper, the author will conduct an observation at a chosen field site, observe a norm that is happening there, and try to break this norm. Step 1 – Site Description The area that I have chosen is the local supermarket near our community. The collaboration of different people coming into one space can generate many unique interactions powered by beliefs and social norms. As I entered the supermarket on February 1, 2024 (3:30 pm), the excitement always hit me as I imagined the products I could see and buy. Although I went there for this 30-minute observation, I couldn't help but feel excited. The air is fresh and smells like an air conditioning system. The noises of people talking and walking with their carts fill the atmosphere, and the bright lights coming from above make the products much more appealing to the eye. Just walking down each aisle is so great, and looking at the well-organized products gives a relaxing feeling. Step 2 - Norms in Product Sampling Because there was no chair around where I could sit or rest, I continued to walk around at the back of the product aisle; then, I saw a small booth with two people handling a sample product. The product they are sampling is their brand's new flavor of ice cream. Many people are circling the booth with their carts and baskets. Most of the people whom the free sampling has attracted are people who have children with them. The children are the ones that encourage their parents to try their free samples. I wanted to try it, too, but I knew I would not buy any of the products they were offering; it was when I realized the norms regarding product samples like that. There is an unspoken rule that when you have tried a sample product, whether a food or a physical product, you need to buy it. People usually don't follow these norms and continue to try samples of their product; excessive product tasting is considered rude, especially when a person is not interested in buying their product and just wants a free sample. Ten minutes have passed since I started observing the two people at the sampling booth; different groups of people are trying their sample. There are groups of friends, family, and couples. I do not see any people who are buying their product. People would talk with them, say, "Hmm, this is good," and go. On a personal level, I am obligated to buy products they are offering when I have taken one of their samples. Also, there is a joke about taking too many samples. For example, my peers would say, "Why are you eating too much sample when you are not even buying it?". That joke puts pressure on someone who is tasting a sample product. Although that joke is harmless, it is quite embarrassing, especially when you see the person giving a sample product being sad because you are not buying their product. Sanctions The sanctions that can happen here are either punishment or reward. The punishment is that when a person does not buy a product from them when they have overeaten sample product is what I would like to call it is the "walk of shame," the moment when th...

Updated on May 1, 2024

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