Beltran_Blog6
10/24/12
My
Breaching experiment
I
had learned about this concept in other classes like psychology and other
sociology and political science courses though not as micro sociology. After
finishing the readings I was able to better understand this concept. As a result
of the manner in which most people are socialized, we tend to base our judgment
of others. We do this both consciously and unconsciously when we see how people
act, talk, dress and or even look a certain way. Once I had a better
understanding of this I was planning to do something crazy or radical that
would really throw people off when they saw me. I had some things in mind until
Saturday night came.
Last
Saturday I was trying to think of something I could do that would break social
norms but decided to leave it until Sunday or Monday. I fortunately did not
have to wait so long (well unfortunately in all aspects other than this
assignment). I had decided to attend a birthday party that night. While there a
friend showed up about an hour after me and her boyfriend mentioned that there
was a car that had been smashed. Long story short, it turned out to be my car.
While my car was being towed to a friend’s house I got another idea. I was able
to get it running to some extent but it is still missing the rear left tail
lights, and the side is totally scrapped I decided to drive it home like that.
Since it was fairly warm I then opened the windows and sunroof and turned the
radio up all the way and took the side streets where people were out and about.
I made sure to stop for at least 3 seconds at each stop and not pass and speed
limits. I then noticed peoples’ reactions. Nobody really laughed or said
anything while I could see them (or while they thought I would notice). However
I could see in my mirrors and hear their laughs and comments (one was “call
Victory Auto!”).
I was not sure if this would work because having grown up in Chicago, it is quite
common to see a car that is beat up and most people see it as something normal.
Yet because my car was very likely not supposed to be on the road, which helped
attract attention of people. One reason for using this as an experiment was
that I kept picturing myself driving in my beat up car and thinking what I
would think of someone in my shoes. It was very embarrassing for me. This
experience however did help me keep my mind off of the possibility that I might
get pulled over and get written up for not having a tail light. I kept in mind
once I got home all of the negative and sometimes mean comments or reactions I
heard and saw and thought about how I am guilty of this at times. I think we all
are, not that we are seriously trying to be mean to the poor fool driving a car
that looks like it’s going to fall apart any second but usually (at least I like
to think so) this form of judging is done so subconsciously. This perhaps is so
that the embarrassing moment or situation can go by more smoothly or less
awkward for the person being ostracized by using
humor.
10/24/12
My
Breaching experiment
I
had learned about this concept in other classes like psychology and other
sociology and political science courses though not as micro sociology. After
finishing the readings I was able to better understand this concept. As a result
of the manner in which most people are socialized, we tend to base our judgment
of others. We do this both consciously and unconsciously when we see how people
act, talk, dress and or even look a certain way. Once I had a better
understanding of this I was planning to do something crazy or radical that
would really throw people off when they saw me. I had some things in mind until
Saturday night came.
Last
Saturday I was trying to think of something I could do that would break social
norms but decided to leave it until Sunday or Monday. I fortunately did not
have to wait so long (well unfortunately in all aspects other than this
assignment). I had decided to attend a birthday party that night. While there a
friend showed up about an hour after me and her boyfriend mentioned that there
was a car that had been smashed. Long story short, it turned out to be my car.
While my car was being towed to a friend’s house I got another idea. I was able
to get it running to some extent but it is still missing the rear left tail
lights, and the side is totally scrapped I decided to drive it home like that.
Since it was fairly warm I then opened the windows and sunroof and turned the
radio up all the way and took the side streets where people were out and about.
I made sure to stop for at least 3 seconds at each stop and not pass and speed
limits. I then noticed peoples’ reactions. Nobody really laughed or said
anything while I could see them (or while they thought I would notice). However
I could see in my mirrors and hear their laughs and comments (one was “call
Victory Auto!”).
I was not sure if this would work because having grown up in Chicago, it is quite
common to see a car that is beat up and most people see it as something normal.
Yet because my car was very likely not supposed to be on the road, which helped
attract attention of people. One reason for using this as an experiment was
that I kept picturing myself driving in my beat up car and thinking what I
would think of someone in my shoes. It was very embarrassing for me. This
experience however did help me keep my mind off of the possibility that I might
get pulled over and get written up for not having a tail light. I kept in mind
once I got home all of the negative and sometimes mean comments or reactions I
heard and saw and thought about how I am guilty of this at times. I think we all
are, not that we are seriously trying to be mean to the poor fool driving a car
that looks like it’s going to fall apart any second but usually (at least I like
to think so) this form of judging is done so subconsciously. This perhaps is so
that the embarrassing moment or situation can go by more smoothly or less
awkward for the person being ostracized by using
humor.