assignment 6: option 1

There are various social norms and standards that people comply to when online. It’s an almost inherent phenomenon for people to feel the need to conform, whether it’s online or not. People even go the extra length to secure being accepted that people shed their personal beliefs to sustain group identity. No one person sets such social conventions but rather people learn them through experience and familiarity.

In particular, when dealing with class discussion forums, say on blackboard, people, or should I say students, are guided by certain criteria and norms. Using proper grammar and not using inappropriate terminology are innate measures and guidelines we as students follow. These “rules” are not written anywhere but instead are known through intrinsic knowledge. In addition, content posted on such discussion boards should be relevant and pertain to what’s being discussed in class. Obviously one isn’t going to discuss their eventful weekend on their physics discussion board. People certainly have the freedom to write whatever they want however they want but consequences are likely to follow. And thus, in order to avoid such punishment, we obey and fulfill our societal obligations to “fit in” and be a part of a desired group. The professor is the enforcer of such conforming behavior and if one doesn’t abide by the acceptable actions, grades may suffer and an undesirable impression is formed.

The Leviathan describes people as adopting certain behaviors, ideas, and actions to avoid being the outcast and being susceptible to castigation. In The Psychology of the Internet, by Patricia Wallace, the Leviathan is similar to a governmental system enforcing such “rules” that we feel obliged to follow. Moderators ensure compliance to such social standards, such as with my example, to “resolve disputes should they arise”. “The sign on the door concept”, described by Patricia Wallace, is our common sense regarding certain social issues and “rules of behavior” which is learned through years of experience. Behaving in an appropriate and educated manner on school discussion boards is an inherent concept we’ve learned though past experiences. The “arched eyebrow” is another form of enforcement of conformity. This a measure used by many to delicately, or in some cases harshly, enforce socially “acceptable” behavior. Professors act on “misbehavior” and a majority of the time address the issue.