Each theorist conceptualized in their own judgement how the social structures hold power, independently, it also reflects different perspectives on how individualism can affect our reality if we allow those of higher dominance influence our thoughts, behaviors and actions. The breaching experiment was executed effectively due to the amount of attention it received despite its simple conversion. At the same time, I could experience the reaction of the individuals as well as my own introspection regarding the activity I had accomplished. Basically, the breaching experiment consisted of me walking backwards, all the way to Gramley dormitory from the new McHugh Flats. I was behaving as I normally would, if I were to walk frontward; e.g. looking
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Gramsci would argue that individuals have and always will be influenced by the social structures of society as long as they give them the power to do so. “Contributes to sustain a conception - is to bring new modes of thought” (Gramsci 1929-36: 263). The ability to exercise free will is part of the intellectual aspect that Gramsci believes we all develop a consciousness of our own. Yet, the praxis of the dominant group is reflected to those who construct their values on structure instead of challenging the notion. Merton described different modes of adaptation that could explain the behaviors that go against the social norm. For instance, in my experiment I considered myself innovative, therefore from that perspective I would infer that I practiced a minimum amount of agency. “Social structures exert pressure upon persons in society to engage in nonconforming rather than conforming conduct” (Merton 1938: 230) Nevertheless, the social structure conditioned me to perform this deviant behavior for the purpose of accomplishing my goal. Lastly, Cooley made it fairly clear that we do not possess any form of agency. Individual self is a product of society. If I were to have an optimistic point of view of what the other individuals were reflecting upon me, maybe then my motivation to continue the experiment would have been more positive. Manifold of the time our inference of other perceptions of us could be incorrect, yet we tend not to acknowledge that, thus implementing we are nothing without
Gramsci would argue that individuals have and always will be influenced by the social structures of society as long as they give them the power to do so. “Contributes to sustain a conception - is to bring new modes of thought” (Gramsci 1929-36: 263). The ability to exercise free will is part of the intellectual aspect that Gramsci believes we all develop a consciousness of our own. Yet, the praxis of the dominant group is reflected to those who construct their values on structure instead of challenging the notion. Merton described different modes of adaptation that could explain the behaviors that go against the social norm. For instance, in my experiment I considered myself innovative, therefore from that perspective I would infer that I practiced a minimum amount of agency. “Social structures exert pressure upon persons in society to engage in nonconforming rather than conforming conduct” (Merton 1938: 230) Nevertheless, the social structure conditioned me to perform this deviant behavior for the purpose of accomplishing my goal. Lastly, Cooley made it fairly clear that we do not possess any form of agency. Individual self is a product of society. If I were to have an optimistic point of view of what the other individuals were reflecting upon me, maybe then my motivation to continue the experiment would have been more positive. Manifold of the time our inference of other perceptions of us could be incorrect, yet we tend not to acknowledge that, thus implementing we are nothing without