Culture, Society, Socialization, and Social Interaction Field Study

FORMATTING:

This is a 3-5 page paper and standard formatting rules apply, including 1” margins, 12 point standard font, and double spacing. Use either APA or MLA formatting for correct in-text citations and a Works Cited or References page. Include your name and page number in a header/footer.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Find a bus stop, lounge area, cafeteria, mall, or some other PUBLIC place where you can sit and take notes for a period of at least 2 to 2.5 hours. You may use your workplace if you have a job. Observe people interacting there and record these observations in the form of detailed notes. What are the roles being exhibited? What are the norms of behavior? What symbols are used most frequently? What aspects of socialization do you see? How are they exhibited?

Write a brief research report on your findings. Your report should be in this order:

1) A description of the setting where the observations occurred (1-2 paragraphs),

2) A summary of the key observations made (1-2 pages), and

3) An analysis of your observations using concepts developed in the text and in class (1-2 pages).

It is important that you separate your observations clearly and cleanly from the interpretation you develop of these observations. The observations should be objective, neutral reports of behavior. The interpretation should be defensible and grounded in concepts from the class and/or the textbook.

In deciding what to look for in your observational study, watch for any of the following aspects of social interaction. Select one or two from each category.

1. Elements of American culture & society:

2. Processes of socialization:

3. Processes and aspects of social interaction:

conformity

agents of socialization

roles and role performance

norms

primary (child) socialization

role strain or conflict

materialism

adult socialization

presentation of self

alienation

re-socialization

reality

ethnocentrism

anticipatory socialization

body/physical space

rationalization

life stages

body language (e. g. gestures)

Category: Essays