Many different types of people visit a local mall for various reasons. Some go by themselves while others take along a friend or family member(s). While in public, there are certain rules of behavior that are followed which are considered acceptable by society. Individuals who do not follow these norms may be shunned or suffer some type of ramification. Behavior expectations, especially sexual ones, vary by location. People generally suppress their sexual feelings while in public as they have learned that most sexual acts are not considered acceptable behavior especially at a shopping mall. One way to observe people’s behaviors while at a mall is to conduct a participant observation and take field notes (Griffitt & Hatfield, 1985). This is
…show more content…
Both the food court and various areas around the mall were a part of this observation. This setting was chosen as it was convenient and enabled me to observe many different people interacting at one time. The emotional climate is that of happiness and positivity as people casually walk through the mall making purchases and eating at the food court. The demographic makeup of the participants is aged from 17 to approximately 50 years old and an almost equal mix of males and females. The ethnic makeup is primarily caucasian, Hispanic, and African-American. Most participants appeared to be middle class and single. My observation was conducted during the middle of the day on a …show more content…
The conclusions that I drew from this observation are that most people are aware of both of these types of rules of appropriate behavior at the mall. They understand that they are expected to speak in a moderate to quiet voice, walk and not run, not engage in violent or sexual acts, etc. Rules guide our conduct and allow us to determine right from wrong. Athough sexuality was once unseen in public in our culture, it has now become more acceptable and open (Yarber, 2013). So the two couples that I observed holding hands and showing affection were acting in a culturally “normal” behavior which is the standard that the majority of us use most of the time (Yarber, 2013). The behaviors that I observed related to this course in that the two couples seemed to demonstrate their attraction to one another through physical expressions such as holding hands and gazing at one another. These are socially acceptable ways that our culture shows affection in public (Yarber, 2013). “Most people will agree that holding hands and occasional tender touches or glances are better ways to show your affection than groping” (Mayne, 2015, par. 3). Setting is an essential element to consider when a person wishes to show their affection for someone. What I observed was sweet and appropriate for the mall. Both couples seem to genuinely care for each other and enjoyed each other’s company. After looking through all of our
Both the food court and various areas around the mall were a part of this observation. This setting was chosen as it was convenient and enabled me to observe many different people interacting at one time. The emotional climate is that of happiness and positivity as people casually walk through the mall making purchases and eating at the food court. The demographic makeup of the participants is aged from 17 to approximately 50 years old and an almost equal mix of males and females. The ethnic makeup is primarily caucasian, Hispanic, and African-American. Most participants appeared to be middle class and single. My observation was conducted during the middle of the day on a …show more content…
The conclusions that I drew from this observation are that most people are aware of both of these types of rules of appropriate behavior at the mall. They understand that they are expected to speak in a moderate to quiet voice, walk and not run, not engage in violent or sexual acts, etc. Rules guide our conduct and allow us to determine right from wrong. Athough sexuality was once unseen in public in our culture, it has now become more acceptable and open (Yarber, 2013). So the two couples that I observed holding hands and showing affection were acting in a culturally “normal” behavior which is the standard that the majority of us use most of the time (Yarber, 2013). The behaviors that I observed related to this course in that the two couples seemed to demonstrate their attraction to one another through physical expressions such as holding hands and gazing at one another. These are socially acceptable ways that our culture shows affection in public (Yarber, 2013). “Most people will agree that holding hands and occasional tender touches or glances are better ways to show your affection than groping” (Mayne, 2015, par. 3). Setting is an essential element to consider when a person wishes to show their affection for someone. What I observed was sweet and appropriate for the mall. Both couples seem to genuinely care for each other and enjoyed each other’s company. After looking through all of our