Imagine a tool called a Stagnar, used for hunting. These fictional tools range in size from 3 to 7 inches, with most being under 5 inches. They can be any color, but they are often red and have a lifespan of about 10 years. Now, picture what you think a “normal” Stagnar looks like. How does this compare to your idea of an “average” Stagnar?
The Stagnar is a made-up concept, created by researchers at Yale University to explore how we perceive what is “normal.” Participants in the study could estimate the average length of a Stagnar quite accurately. However, when asked about a “normal” Stagnar, they combined the average with their ideal version. This blending of average and ideal is a mental process we apply to many aspects of life.
Consider the average number of hours Americans watch TV each day. Now, think about what you consider a “normal” amount of TV to watch. Is your idea of normal higher or lower than the average? We often know that excessive TV watching isn’t good for us, which influences our perception of what is “normal.” Our concept of normality is shaped by both the data we have and the ideals we hold.
Ideas of what is normal can vary significantly based on personal experiences. For instance, think about the age you consider normal for getting married. If you live in Utah, where the average age for first marriage is around 25, your idea of normal might be lower than someone in New York, where the average is about 30. Additionally, if you’re under 30, you might think a “normal” marriage age is higher than someone over 65, as the average age has been rising over the past 50 years.
Your concept of normal is influenced by both what you perceive as typical and what you believe is ideal. This idea extends to broader social issues, like marijuana legalization. As of 2015, about half of Americans had tried marijuana, and one in eight had used it in the past year. Although marijuana’s effects haven’t changed, its use has become more typical, leading to its normalization and legalization in several states.
In politics, the concept of normal can be explained using the Overton Window. This window represents the range of ideas considered acceptable or popular at any given time. As public opinion shifts, so does the Overton Window, moving ideas from radical to mainstream or vice versa.
Understanding how our personal and social norms are formed can make us more aware of political rhetoric that challenges our core ideals. For example, the rise of anti-Semitism before World War II shows how propaganda and political rhetoric can shift societal norms dramatically, with devastating consequences.
Conversely, being aware of the difference between what you consider ideal and average can help prevent extreme events. This awareness allows you to work towards aligning societal norms with personal ideals, rather than simply conforming to societal changes.
Understanding these dynamics also helps you appreciate different perspectives. Disagreements about what is normal often arise not from different information but from different ideals. Recognizing these differences can enhance your ability to engage in meaningful discussions, even on contentious topics.
What is something you consider normal, but isn’t necessarily average? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Imagine and create your own version of a “normal” Stagnar using art supplies or digital tools. Consider the characteristics described in the article, such as size, color, and lifespan. Share your design with classmates and discuss how your perceptions of “normal” differ.
Conduct a survey among your peers to gather data on their TV watching habits. Compare the results to national averages and discuss how personal ideals might influence perceptions of what is “normal” TV consumption.
Engage in a debate about the “normal” age for marriage in different regions. Use data from various states and countries to support your arguments. Reflect on how cultural and societal norms shape your views on this topic.
Research a social or political issue and analyze how the Overton Window has shifted over time. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how changes in public opinion have influenced what is considered “normal.”
Write a reflective essay on a personal belief or behavior you consider “normal” but isn’t necessarily average. Discuss how your ideals shape this perception and how awareness of this dynamic can influence your interactions with others.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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This is a Stagnar, a tool used for hunting. Stagnars vary in size, from 3 to 7 inches long, but most of them are shorter than 5 inches. They can be any color, though they’re mostly red, and they last for about 10 years. Now, imagine for yourself what a “normal” stagnar looks like. How does that compare to your idea of an “average” stagnar?
The Stagnar is completely fictional. The tool was created as part of a study done by scientists at Yale University looking at our concept of what’s “normal.” Most participants were able to estimate the average length of a stagnar pretty accurately, but when they were asked about a “normal” stagnar, they combined the average with the ideal. This mental process happens with all sorts of things.
Try estimating the average hours of TV Americans watch each day. Now think of what’s a “normal” amount of TV to watch. Is the normal amount lower or higher than the average amount? We know that too much TV is not beneficial for us, which influences our idea of what’s “normal.” Our whole mental concept of normal is built by incorporating the hard data we have and the ideals we hold.
Ideas of normality can vary greatly from person to person based on experience. For example, consider the age you think is normal to first be married. If you live in Utah, where the average age at first marriage is about 25, your concept of what’s normal is probably much lower than if you live in New York, where the average age is about 30. Additionally, if you’re currently under 30, your concept of a “normal” first marriage age is probably much higher than if you’re over 65, since the average age has been steadily increasing over the last 50 years.
No matter what you think is the “ideal” age to first get married, or what age the people around you got married, your concept of normal will be affected by both your perception of what’s typical and what’s best.
We can also look at marijuana legalization. As of 2015, about half of all Americans reported having tried marijuana, and one in eight admitted to doing so in the past 12 months. Marijuana’s effects haven’t changed, but using or at least trying marijuana has become more typical. This has led to its normalization, with several states in the US passing laws legalizing and regulating it.
Politically, what’s normal can be understood using what’s called an Overton Window. Current policy sits in the middle, and extreme ideas lie in both directions. The window encompasses ideas that are considered popular, sensible, or at least acceptable, while excluding the radical and unthinkable. As public opinion shifts, so does the Overton Window.
Understanding how our idea of normal is formed personally and socially makes political rhetoric that goes against our fundamental ideals concerning. For example, consider the rise of anti-Semitism leading up to World War II. Even if a majority of people didn’t hold racist ideals, the increased prevalence of those sentiments, through propaganda and political rhetoric, shifted the Overton Window and the norm in an extreme way, leading to tragic consequences.
On the other side of this, being aware of what you consider ideal and what you consider average, and understanding how those two things contribute to what you think of as “normal,” can help prevent extreme events in the future. That understanding can help you work towards moving what’s socially “normal” closer to what’s personally ideal, rather than just adjusting your personal normal along with the rest of society.
It also helps you understand other people’s points of view. You might disagree on what’s normal, not because you have different information, but because you have different ideals. Knowing where your opinions differ can improve your ability to have intelligent discussions, even on heated issues.
What’s something you think is normal, but definitely isn’t average? Let me know in the comments.
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This version maintains the original content while removing any potentially sensitive or controversial elements.
Normality – The condition of being typical, usual, or expected within a particular social context. – In sociology, normality is often questioned to understand how societal norms influence individual behavior.
Perception – The process by which individuals interpret and organize sensory information to understand their environment. – A sociologist might study how media influences public perception of social issues.
Ideals – Principles or values that one actively pursues as goals, often reflecting societal aspirations. – The ideals of equality and justice are central to many sociological theories.
Average – A statistical measure that represents the central or typical value in a set of data, often used to summarize social trends. – Sociologists often calculate the average income of a population to analyze economic disparities.
Norms – Established standards of behavior maintained by a society or social group. – Norms play a crucial role in shaping the social order and are a key focus in sociological studies.
Sociology – The study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society. – Sociology provides insights into how social institutions influence individual and group behavior.
Politics – The activities associated with governance, policy-making, and the distribution of power within a society. – Understanding the politics of a society is essential for analyzing how power dynamics affect social change.
Marijuana – A psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant, often discussed in terms of its social, legal, and health implications. – The sociology of marijuana examines how its legalization impacts social norms and public health.
Rhetoric – The art of effective or persuasive communication, often analyzed in terms of its impact on public opinion and social discourse. – Sociologists study rhetoric to understand how language shapes societal beliefs and attitudes.
Discussions – Interactive communication processes where ideas and opinions are exchanged, often used to explore social issues. – In sociology classes, discussions are a vital tool for critically examining complex social phenomena.
