Eyebrow On Fleek

Proposal

1) What is the norm that you intend to deviate from?

The norm we deviated from are the standards of appearance in today’s society. Well-groomed eyebrows is something that is very popular for today’s generation. So we intend to deviate from that norm by doing this unibrow experiment.

2) What is the breaching activity that you will do? How do you propose to go about it? Describe in detail.

We will draw a unibrow on the deviant using makeup. Then he will walk around populated places and observe the reactions of those around him, according to gender. The researchers would position themselves at selected vantage points in the area in order to get good views of people who would react to the deviant. For example, the balcony or the bottom of an escalator. We will have the deviant go in populated places such as escalator areas, and the corridors where people could be seen walking along or window-shopping, or in the shops themselves. Then, we secretly record the reactions of the people (both males and females) as they pass by the deviant.

3) Where do you propose to conduct this activity? Why do you intend to do it in this area? Better outside ateneo and in areas where you won’t violate laws.

We will test areas in UP Town Center for the breaching experiment. It is a busy public place and will allow us to find larger crowds of people from both genders, in different age groups, status, and occupations. By having a variety of respondents we will be able to determine which group had the strongest reaction to this deviation. Also, UP Town Center is quite large which allows us to easily film from many different angles.

4) What are the expected reactions that you will obtain from people?

Our expected reactions are for people to stare and whisper to whoever they are with. They may turn around and do a double take when they see the test subject walk by. The younger participants may laugh because they are usually the ones who are more concerned over appearance and tend to ridicule those who look “different.”

5) Will you document this activity? If yes, what materials will you be using? Record or take picture/video.

We will record using our phones by taking pictures and videos.

Report

1) What norm did you violate?

Conventional aesthetics in our society today shape the physical appearance one needs to have in order to at least not be singled out. In the breaching experiment, the norm that the researchers violated was that of aesthetics or standards of appearance. Specifically, one of the researchers, who will be entitled the ‘deviant’ throughout this report, drew on a unibrow and walked around in a public area, and we observed people’s reactions, depending on their gender.

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

Different areas of UP Town Center acted as the “testing grounds” for the breaching experiment. Generally, the rest of the researchers would position themselves at selected vantage points in the area in order to get good views of people who would react to the deviant. The particular areas in the mall wherein the researchers commenced the experiment involved the escalator areas, and the corridors where people could be seen walking along or window-shopping, or in the shops themselves. In short, populated places. Reactions were noted as according to gender.

In the escalator areas, the researchers positioned themselves behind the deviant going up/down the escalator, and at the balcony to get different angles. They then secretly recorded the reactions of the people as they passed by the deviant. Along the corridors, the researchers positioned themselves again a little distance behind the deviant as he was walking, and, when applicable, at the balcony above that certain corridor and recorded reactions. In the shops, the deviant pretended to be looking for something in the store and asked the salespeople. It was harder to monitor reactions in the shops because of the smaller space, and almost every action, video-taping included, was seen by the salespeople, so the researchers focused less on these areas.

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

We observed that most people reacted “negatively” when they saw the unibrow that we put on one of our members. As very few people ignored the deviant, some tried not to look or stare when they saw him. However, some could not help but make a double take and look if they saw the right thing. Some openly stared and laughed in front of him. This is what we mean by a “negative reaction,” in that people reacted to the deviant as a subject of ridicule, because something as trivial as the shape of his eyebrows were found to be unusual. Another common reaction we found was initial shock but trying to seem like they saw something normal. Most of the sales ladies and salesmen tried to keep a straight face while talking to him. We also positioned ourselves strategically by walking behind the deviant. We observed that most people would react when he has already passed them. They would laugh or point at their friend to look at him.

These people reacted this way because it is very uncommon nowadays to have a unibrow. A lot, especially those from the upper class, are particularly careful about how they look like, to the extent of the shape of their eyebrows. Therefore, by deviating from the norm of having normal-shaped eyebrows, people consider this funny or weird.

This deviant act reaffirmed the norm pertaining to that of standard physical appearance because most respondents “negatively” reacted and did not immediately accept how the deviant looked like. It shows how there is still a socially acceptable physical appearance that almost everyone follows.

4) Aside from norms, what sociological themes are at play for people to react in a certain way? Is it a function of gender (gender norms, roles), social class (norms of the rich and poor), values/beliefs of institutions (religion, family, peer group, etc.)?

We were careful to note people’s reactions based on their gender. Although both male and female reacted negatively, it was the females who stared more and openly reacted to it. Most of the females looked for longer periods of time, from both the younger and older groups, and sometimes have confused looks on their faces. They immediately react after staring by either incredulously talking about it to their friend or outright laughing with them.

The males, on the other hand, laughed more than stared, but this was observed more from the younger groups (around 18 to late 20’s), especially when they were with their friends. There seemed to be those who did not laugh however, and simply stared. These seemed to be more in control in keeping a straight face. This is especially true for the older males (middle aged to seniors, especially those with kids), who also stared, but did not really give the deviant a second glance.

5) How did you feel when you did this experiment? How does it feel to deviate from the norms? Were you hesitant to do the activity?

This particular breaching experiment was very interesting for various reasons. As the deviant, I was hesitant at first to be the one with the unibrow drawn on, because the place of the actual experiment was in UP Town Center, which is usually where people I know hang out. Aside from that, more than being hesitant, I was more curious and excited to see how mall-goers would react to seeing a person with a unibrow.

As for the results of the experiment, I found it to be really amusing. It’s not everyday one sees a person who is extremely beyond the norms of beauty or aesthetic. In all honesty, I felt like a celebrity with my unibrow on. I felt as if once a person was able to see my face, he or she would try their best to catch a second glance and if not, explicitly stare. Furthermore, I felt as if I were the topic of their conversations as I tried to really observe how people would react. Some of them even try their hardest not to laugh, and this was apparent when we visited different stores. Walking through the busy parts of the mall, it was quite an experience to see people of different ages, gender, and whatnot react to this unusual sight. It just goes to show that not being conventional or different attracts a lot of attention and to a certain extent, may even cause humiliation.

6) Other observations and analysis that you may have on the activity and on deviance in general

Norms are present in any society and deviance involves behavior that violates those norms. The perceived level of seriousness of the deviance is dependent on the type of norm violated and the social significance of that norm. Deviant behavior is relative within a society. An act may be deviant in this particular society but normal for another.  Deviance is oftentimes stigmatized and negative values or connotations are assigned to the individual(s) engaging in the behavior. Fear of the effects of stigmatization may or may not preclude deviant behavior.