experment

Running head: # BREACHING EXPERIMENT 0

Breaching experiment

In essence, the functionalist perspective theory, the conflict perspective theory, and the interactionism theory provide sociologists with different scales of measurements that assist them in explaining how a particular society function (Chafetz, 2008). In addition, these theories offer a variety of perspectives regarding human behavior and the general social world.

Most people find themselves violating the informal social norms because no serious steps can be taken against them while others are just ignorant. According to the functionalist theory, society is only functional when all members observe the social norms that abide them together. According to social structural-functionalism both social integration and social regulation are essential in the society. Social integration refers to the sense of attachment to institutions and groups while social regulation refers to adherence to various set values and norms in the society. Proponents of the Structural-functionalism perspective in regard to informal deviance assert that people who are highly self- regulated are categorized as “fatalists” while those that are extremely unregulated are “anomalies.” All kinds of informal deviance fall under these two categories. While informal deviance varies from one culture to another, its definition still stands to be; violations of various informal social norms that have been codified into law (Chafetz, 2008). One informal deviance behavior that is evident in almost all forms of interactions, whether between two friends, lovers, siblings, between leaders and subordinates or in a family is that a good percentage is manipulative. Manipulative people in the society tend to be egocentric, highly competitive, cunning, obnoxiously aggressive, and anxious and may lack the capability to show empathy (Bandura, A., & Walters, 2004). However, it is substantial to note that the manipulation may vary depending on the Fatalism-anomies scale of measurement. Under stressing conditions, manipulative anomies may become psychopaths while conducive environments such as a loving and an understanding family may reduce the chances of destructive manipulation. However, people who are obnoxiously manipulative may be so due to genes in the family, and this can be highly dangerous as it could lead to formal deviance (Bandura, & Walters, 2004). The level of pathological expression of manipulation depends on an individual’s social upbringing and social environment which can be summarized as nurture. It is advisable to get brain scans when one is excessively aggressive or manipulative as well as probe your family’s history since more information about the source of such behavior may help prevent other deviant behaviors.

To conclude this discussion, it is important to emphasize that although no serious steps can be taken against a person who defies the informal social norms, some actions are very embarrassing or hurtful to friends and family. A person who is manipulative may not listen to another person’s point of view. This can lead to disagreements, hatred or serious offences such as domestic violence.

References

Bandura, A., & Walters, R. H. (2004). Social learning and personality development (Vol. 14). New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Chafetz, J. S. (2008). A primer on the construction and testing of theories in sociology. Wadsworth.