Norm Violation
1. Read the section on “Ethnomethodology” in Chapter 4 of your textbook.
2. Engage in an Ethnomethodological Experiment that breaks background assumptions.
In other words, violate a norm.
3. Include the following in your essay:
a. Describe what Garfinkel means by “background assumptions”, based on what you
read in Chapter 4.
b. Discuss the setting in which your experiment is taking place.
c. Describe the norm being violated and what you did to violate it.
d. Observe and report how others react to your behavior.
e. Note your own reaction to your norm violation. Was it uncomfortable? Did you feel
like you had done something wrong? Was it a positive feeling?
Be creative! You can break the norm at home, school, work, in public, etc. If you cannot come up with
an idea, let me know, and I will help you.
