Yes, I believe that group norms are present and visible at SJSU. Because I am not really involved in school and rarely ever on campus during the day, the only norm that I can think of is inside the classroom in my night class. When I go to class in the evening, it is expected that I take a seat facing the front of the class in one of the desks. It would be against the norm for me to turn my desk around facing the students, or to take a seat in the front of the classroom at the larger desk, facing the students. The larger desk in the front is reserved for the professor and for any student to take a seat there would violate the norms of the classroom setting. Another example of group norms that comes to my mind is at my workplace. We have a strict dress code policy to maintain a certain level of professionalism. The dress code policy is an explicit norm because it is “outlined in either written or oral form as a policy of group-sanctioned procedure” (pg. 47). We are expected to wear suits and button-up collared shirts every day. In addition, facial piercings, visible tattoos, and eccentric hair colors (blue, purple, pink etc…) are not permitted. The policy is clear in that if we were to go against the norm of the dress code policy we would be subject to disciplinary action.
Because the dress code policy at my work is an explicit norm, it was a lot easier to identify and also to adapt to the norm as this was what was expected by my employer. However, although there is nothing in writing about the seating arrangements in a classroom setting, after many years of being in school, I am accustomed to this norm and have adapted to it fairly easily.
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Hi GCL,
ReplyDeleteI'm like you in that I'm not apart of any SJSU activities. My time goes to going to class, then leaving to do homework...or I may stay to do homework in the library, student union, etc. Anyway you brought up a campus norm that I didn't think as I wasn't thinking in that direction: The seating arrangements. I've had that norm of the typical seating arrangement be broke a few times though. The instructor had us sit in a circle (including him, being apart of the circle, not "in front" of us) the whole semester or some of the semester - in comm 123i and comm 101. Also you bring up a good example of norms in the workplace, having to wear the same uniform everyday. Also having to clock in and out everyday, etc.
Hi GCL, like you and JPPS2010, I don't have time to join any clubs or sororities. When I am at school, I just do homework in the cafe or in the computer lab. In high school, I remember most of my classes had seating arrangements. We were expected to seat in the same spot for the entire year. In college, students can sit in different seats during the school week.
ReplyDeleteAt work, it is expected of hosts to wear formal attire. We can't be wearing jeans or skirts in a working environment. We are also supposed to smile and be nice towards customers no matter if they are rude or mean.
I like your example of the norms of a classroom setting. I remember my professor using that as an example last semester when we spoke about how certain rules seem obvious and might be regarded as an expectation. The significance of the roles in a classroom setting is evident because of how society has shaped the roles. The only time chairs are facing away from the front of the room is when the teacher allows for a change; otherwise, the norm is for the professor to be in the front and the students seated in chairs placed in specified rows facing forward. Your examples of the workplace rang true because employees at Starbucks have a strict dress code to follow. The policies are also clear as you demonstrate and violating any of the norms would have consequences.
ReplyDeleteHello GCL
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. The examples you gave in the classroom were great ones and ones that I did not even think of. We are expected to face forward in a desk and leave the front one for our professor. If one of the students were to do otherwise, people were find them strange or unusual.
However I do not necessarily think your dress code policy at work would be considered a norm because it is a policy. "Group norms are not imposed by some authority figure with power." (Harris/Sherblom) Had this not been a policy enforced by your boss or the company, I think this would have been a great one. Anyways, good job!