Sociology

Why is it that once a society gets used to doing something in a particular way, it makes a norm Perhaps a society should not be making everything that is done on a daily basis a norm. Sometimes people should change their ways of doing things and create humor and excitement out of some of the conservative norms. In every society, there are norms that guide people in the way of doing things and breaking them leads to either a severe punishments or exclusion from a group. All this is important in shaping the desire to act effectively, to build and sustain relationships and also to uphold the self image of a person (Gilbert, Fiske  Gardener 152). 
             
What is a norm It is a standardized set of rules that includes a list of requirements. It can also be defined as standards or guides for behaviors. That is, actions that people repeat in a society that serves as guidelines for people to act upon. Norms can also be defined as expected behaviors or ways of doing things in a certain culture or society in various situations. They usually specify behavioral expectations by defining the incorrect and correct ways of dealing or responding to behaviors (Gilbert, Fiske and Gardener 151).
         
Norms are also defined as culturally phenomena that stipulate and exclude behaviors in different societies. They have been considered responsible for regulating behaviors in the society. Norms normally instruct people on specific issues. For example they forbid killing, injuring others, keeping of promises among many others (Hechter and Opp ix-xii). Norms can also be defined as the rules that a group uses for suitable and unsuitable values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors in the society. The rules may be precise or inherent and failure to follow them would result to severe punishments (Syque, par. 1-2). This is dependent on what norm one has violated. For example in some cases, one is excluded from the society or group completely and in others, one can be given a legal or criminal punishment. Most of the times, the norm breakers usually experience a rough treatment by the people around them, which causes them to honor the norm in future (Gilbert, Fiske  Gardener 151).
             
When social norms are broken, people react differently. This may be in alarm, fear, humor, irritation among others. When one gets to think of a norm, they probably think about being normal. Above all, a norm that is usually common to people is the social norm which brings across the expectations about what behaviors, thoughts or feelings are appropriate within a specified group in a given context (Spootyhead, par. 2).         

Norm Description and peoples expectations
It was a brighter morning when I woke up very excited. The skies looked very beautiful with the white and blue clouds forming a good pattern that I felt like I would gaze at the whole day. I felt strangely excited and so I decided that I wanted to do something unique and extraordinary that day so that I could see the reaction of the people. As I looked up the sky, I thought that this would be a very unique and memorable and historical day for me if I just behaved in a different manner. I wanted to see how my friends and my fellow students would react. I decided to put on some unusual clothes. I put on a short, a sweeter and a blouse that had so many torn parts. All these were oversize and of different colors which were not matching at all.

Secondly, I decided not to put on shoes and instead put on sandals of different colors (red and blue) and both of the right foot. Normally, people in colleges and universities are used to putting on jeans and t-shirts or short tops or just wear casually but smart and so doing this was contrary to their expectations. After this I walked out of my room with a newspaper and headed to the library. At that particular day, I didnt have a class and was the case with many of my friends and their norm during such free time was usually going to the library to study on their own, to researchor do assignments.

Description of peoples reactions and their responses
As I walked along the streets of the institution, everybody was gazing at me. Friends that I met were shocked and some even run away because they thought I had run mad. Others talked to me asking me what the problem was but I didnt respond. To others, I would run away when they approached me and to or I would relay laugh loudly continuously. When asked any question, I would just ignore. Upon entering the library, I began walking around as I read the newspaper in whispers so that the people who were nearby would notice. My friends just began laughing and those that didnt know me would only stare at me shocked and wondering what was wrong. The librarians also came to find out what was happening. When I entered the library, they were busy doing their work and so they did not realize that I had come in.

One of them knew me and so when he saw me he started laughing. He came towards me and began asking me what was happening. I never responded but I just gazed at him and I also began laughing. All these happenings attracted a very big crowd very fast. Some of my classmates were laughing at the whole scenario while others looked astonished and concerned and began walking closer to see what was happening. Others suggested that I be taken to a psychiatrist because they thought that I was mentally ill.

I struggled with them for a couple of minutes and then walked outside the library and sat on a rock that was usually at the entrance of the library. Some lecturers passed by to see what was happening in addition to a group of students who formed a crowd around me. Some of my friends and the two librarians decided to organize a way of taking me to a mental hospital for examination. I said I wanted to talk to my friends and the librarians and they took me in one of the offices that was nearer. I requested them that before I was to be taken to a psychiatrist, I needed to first rash to the room and pick something. Some refuted but two of them seemed to understand and so asked that I be let to go.
They decided that I be accompanied by a few. As we were walking in the streets, every body was just gazing at me. It seemed that nearly all business within the vicinity of the library was closed and all the students and lecturers including other staffs were outside in groups discussing the issue. Others seemed concerned and were following us to see what would happen.

As we approached the hostels, I just decided to run very fast without their notice and before they contemplated on what to do next, I was in my room and I changed the clothing I had and put on very smart attire. When they arrived in my room, they could not believe what they saw I spoke to them very well and also narrated to them what I had planned as part of my assignment. While some felt that I fooled them, others were very excited to listen to the whole story, while others thought that I was very creative. Others just left and went back to attend to their daily activities. This was the talk of the day and most of those who heard the story thought that I was abnormal. Some of my friends feared and shunned me while others just took it easy.

How I felt when I broke the norm deliberately
My decision to break the norm of remaining silent in the library and even to wear haphazardly was intentional. After the whole scenario, I felt good and being one the most creative student in our class. My craziest behavior made me became very famous in our school. Even those who did not know came to know me that day and till today we are good friends with some. On my part, I was amused about the whole thing and I thought it was an achievement.

In conclusion, I came to understand that in every situation or circumstance, there is a way that the society at large expects one to behalf or present themselves and failure to that, there are consequences following.