The Colored People

Section: Q

Submitted by: Aniban, Balane, Herrera, Mendoza

I.               What norm did you violate?

The group decided to violate the norms by painting themselves in the colors blue, red, and yellow and walked around two shopping malls, namely; SM Megamall and Shangri-La. This was out of the ordinary in the sense that people usually do not color themselves when going shopping.

II.              Describe the breaching experiment in detail. What was the activity? Where did you do it?

Three members from the group painted themselves in a specific color, blue, red, and yellow respectively. A fourth member served as a camera man and took notes for the reactionary research. The three walked as a group around two shopping malls, namely; SM Megamall and Shangri-La, in order to gauge specific reactions from people of varying demographics and age groups.

III.            What were the different reactions of the people? List all possible reactions you observed. Why do you think they reacted that way? What caused these reactions? Did the deviant act re-affirm/reinforce the existing norms based on these reactions?

1.     Reactions from Megamall (General Population):

A.     Elderly

This particular group frowned upon the research team. They expressed statement of displeased wonder such as:

“Bakit niyo ginagawa ito?" with an accompanying frown.

"Anong pinaggagawa ng mga batang ito?"

B.     Middle-Aged

This particular group was more cerebral in their interaction with the research team, they inquired as to whther or not this was a project for school. Some members of this group asked for a picture with the research team as they claimed to find the project amusing.

C.     Teenagers

This particular group was more receptive and curious, saying things like:

"Walang basagan ng trip ah."

"Uy ano meron?"

"Ate, saan yan?"

These reactions are likely brought about by their assumption that such activities could be related to certain mall events or promotions, or simply deviants with nothing better to do as referenced by the first quote.

2.     Reactions from Shangri-La (Upper Class Population):

A.     Elderly

This particular group found the research team “cute.” Some approached the research team and asked for a picture.

B.     Middle-Aged

This particular group, like those in the previous mall, was also cerebral. They guessed that the research team was participating in some sort of school project.

C.     Teenagers

This particular group generally ignored the research team’s presence. Glimpses of some of the faces of this group would generally show displeasure with confused looks and rolling of eyes.

3.     Reactions from Mall Employees

A.     McDonald’s Employees

Although they looked surprised at first glance judging by their facial expressions, it was nothing extraordinary and they merely proceeded with their duties.

B.     Security Guards

They looked confused at first, and seemed as if they wanted to stop the research team from entering the premises, but did not. This reaction was likely brought about by the fact that they may have viewed the research team as an unsanctioned promotinnal group that malls typically do not allow.

C.     Zara Salespeople

This particular group did not react until research team began looking through products. Some employees looked nervous and wide-eyed, likely in fear that the research team might stain the clothes with the coloration on their bodies.

IV.            Aside from the norms, what sociological themes are at play for people to react in a certain way?

As was evident in the recorded reactions, age played a determining factor in the differences of how each particular group responded to the deviance. Another factor was the varying demographics. Elderly people that shopped in SM Megamall reacted differently than those that shopped in Shangri-La, and so did the teenagers from each mall. The only similar group to react was the middle-aged group, which approached the situation in a more cerebral way in both malls.

Employees also reacted differently and in a unique way. Given that they were all on duty at the time, they reacted first and foremost in defense of their own well-being. McDonald’s employees did their best to resume operations as always and simply serve the research team as regular customers. The security guards assessed the situation as to whether or not such a thing was allowed in the mall premises. The Zara salespeople treated the research team as regular customers, but showed signs of worry when the research team touched the products as they most likely feared any of the clothes getting stained.

V.              How did you feel doing the experiment and deviating from the norms? Were you hesitant to do the activity?

In general, the group felt excited and amused doing the activity. It is not every day we get to go out painted in bold colors. The group wasn’t hesitant to do the activity as this was a project for school. However, there were points wherein the group felt quite nervous and silly especially when entering a new premises and when negative reactions were directly shown and/or given.

VI.            Other observations and analysis on the activity and deviance in general.

The group observed that people tend to react according to information that defines what norms are in relation to what is accessible to their social demographics and age groups. In general, deviance is frowned upon, unless the people recognizing the deviance understand the reasoning behind it (i.e. the assumption it was for a school project).

Flo after just finishing her face

  

Markie starting off with her arms

Ayen after painting her face