Observation Date and Time Date: 09/03/2020
Time: 3-9
Observation Location
Shoe Sensation in Fayetteville, Tennessee (Since we often have a wide variety of people come into the store, I studied a multitude of the customers).
Observation Instructions Observe at least TWO or more people interacting, and write down your responses to the questions below. If you are not able to do your observation using approved social distancing guidelines, then you can do your observation through watching a show episode, or film. Make sure to include that information in the observation spots above. All responses should include not only a specific observation, but also a connection to the textbook in at least FOUR questions to show understanding of the core concepts. Make sure to specifically reference the textbook using APA style.
1. Find one person you find attractive. What is it about that individual that made them seem so attractive to you?
The person I found as attractive was one of the male customers that came into the store where I work. The customer was around 20-23 years old. He had tanned skin. He had brown, curly hair. He had deep blue eyes. He was tall and sort of muscular. He wasn’t bulked up like working out at the gym was his whole life, it was more subtle. For example, you could tell that he had muscle and that he did work out, but his muscles weren’t the size of my head or anything. It is possible he played a sport, he kind of looked like the athletic type. Also, he was very polite. I think one of the main reasons I found him attractive was his curly hair and his height. I always notice curly hair. I also always notice height, but that's mainly because I’m shorter than most people so I have to look up to talk to people.
2. Find someone exhibiting task attractiveness. What makes you think that?
According to the textbook, task attractiveness is defined as “the degree to which we perceive another person as someone with whom we would like to work, conduct business, or have as a coworker or teammate.” (Richmond et al.,2012). With the definition from the textbook in mind, I actually found a person exhibiting task attractiveness while I was at work. The person I found exhibiting task attractiveness was a customer at the shoe store I work in. The reason I think this person exhibits task attractiveness is because unlike the other customers, this particular customer was very nice and conscientious about the work that we do. She paid attention to how the direction the shoes were supposed to face and correctly put the shoes she tried on back. She noticed that the laces on the shoes were tucked inside the shoes and she fixed the ones that she messed up. She put the shoes she tried on back on the shelf in size order instead of just sticking them somewhere or leaving them on the floor. Furthermore, she actually put a new display shoe out for us after she bought the one we already had out. Overall, I think that this customer displays task attractiveness because she definitely seems like someone who would be a good coworker at the shoe store.
3. Find someone who is dressed similarly to you. What are the similarities?
According to our textbook, homophily “refers to similarity between people.” (Richmond et al.,2012). The person I found who was dressed similarly to me was a customer at the shoe store where I work. The customer was a teenage girl who was wearing what appeared to be dark skinny jeans, a pearl necklace, solid white converse (the high top converse), and a shirt that I think would qualify as business casual (it wasn’t casual like a T-shirt, but it wasn’t really dressy either). The similarities between us were the brand of shoe we were wearing, which was converse. However, her converse were solid white and high tops and mine were navy blue and stopped at my ankle. We both also had a pearl necklace on. However, my necklace had three pearls on a black cord and hers only had one pearl on a brown cord.
4. Observe a couple walking together. Do they fit the “matching hypothesis”? Why or why not?
According to the textbook, matching hypothesis “suggests that, even though men and women might be attracted to people more attractive than themselves, most people select to date or choose partners considered to be in the same attractiveness category as they are.” (Richmond et al.,2012). The couple I chose to observe for this question involved a tall, blonde man and short, brunette woman. The tall, blonde man had blue eyes and a beard. He was wearing cowboy boots, a trucker hat (the hats with the nets in the back), and faded blue jeans. The short, brunette woman also had blue eyes. She was wearing black skinny jeans, a maroon blouse with white polka dots, and black booties. I think that the couple do fit the “matching hypothesis” because even though they have different hair color, different styles, and are different heights, they looked good together as a couple. The couple’s opposites actually worked for them and made them seem like a good match, a perfect fit.
5. Find one person and make these judgements about them. It cannot be someone you know.
The person I chose to observe for this question was a man in his late 20s, early 30s. This man was dressed in a blue button up shirt, khaki slacks, black dress shoes, and a suit jacket. He had brown hair. He was a little on the tall side. He was wearing black glasses. He had beard, though not a big beard (it appeared like it had been trimmed so it was close to his face). His hair had been styled so it didn’t lie flat on his forehead. He was very well put together, but not overdressed for a small town in Tennessee. Based on the man’s appearance I would say that he is trustworthy. While he is dressed nice, he isn't overdressed. Therefore, he seems important, but he doesn’t seem snobbish. He isn’t too overdressed, so he seems more approachable or friendly
Social Position Based off of the man’s appearance I would say that he is in a high social position. He seems to be very important. While he is dressed nice, is isn’t overdressed. Therefore, he seems important, but he doesn’t seem snobbish.
Economic Level Based off of the man’s appearance I would say that he is not poor. I wouldn’t necessarily call him rich, but he’s not hurting for money either.
Education Level Based off of the man’s appearance I would say that he is well educated. I think he would have graduated high school and probably college as well. His appearance was giving off a business or lawyer vibe.
Level of Sophistication Based off of the man’s appearance I would say that he is very sophisticated. Not many people dress the way he was dressed around Fayetteville, TN. Therefore, his appearance makes him seem very sophisticated.
Economic Background Based off of the man’s appearance I would say that he is not poor. I wouldn’t necessarily call him rich, but he’s not hurting for money either. It’s hard to tell about his background from the way he is dressed, but again I would say that he is not necessarily poor.
Social Background Based off of the man’s appearance I would say that he is a very social person, Once again, he isn’t too overdressed, so he seems more approachable or friendly.
Educational Background Once again, based off of the man’s appearance I would say that he is well educated. I think he would have graduated high school and probably college as well. His appearance was giving off a business or lawyer vibe.
Level of Success Based off of the man’s appearance I would say that he is very successful. He seems very put together. He seems like he would have a great job and that he would make a pretty penny at his job based off of his appearance.
Moral Character Based off of the man’s appearance I would say that he is very trustworthy, friendly, sociable. All of the qualities that I assume about him based off of his appearance also makes me think that he has a great moral character. Nothing about his appearance screams “Evil!”
6. Find one person who is using their clothing for conformity (Aiken’s Reasons for Clothing Selection). What made you think that?
The person I chose to observe for this question was a woman who was in her late 40s. She had brown hair, hazel eyes, and was an average height. She had on the typical mom jeans, a t-shirt that was a little big for her, and some brown Bobs. The reason I think this woman was using her clothing for conformity is because she was dressed sort of conservatively. Her clothes were loose fitting, they didn’t show off her figure. Her clothes also weren’t flashy so she wasn’t drawing attention to herself. She seemed like she was dressed for comfort and didn’t really want to stand out at all.
7. See if you can find a group of 3 or more people. What about their clothing shows “group identification” as mentioned in Rosenfield and Plax’s study?
The group of people I chose to observe for this question involved 3 people, 2 girls and 1 boy. The three appeared to be friends from school. All three appeared to be around 17-18, and appeared to still be in high school. The first girl had long, blonde hair and green eyes. She wore a short, blue dress with little flowers on it. The first girl’s appearance gave the impression that she enjoyed tight clothes that showed off her legs and her figure. She seemed like the type to enjoy showing some skin. She also seemed like the type to spend time trying to find the perfect outfit that is fashionable and trendy. The second girl had short, black hair and brown eyes. She wore a plaid, black skirt and plain, white short with short sleeves. The second girl’s appearance gave the impression that she enjoyed clothes that showed off her figure, but that she doesn’t necessarily spend hours on finding the perfect outfit like the first girl. The second girl’s outfit was cute and well put together, but it was also more simple than the first girls flowery dress. The boy had short, brown hair and hazel eyes. He wore a green and black flannel and dark jeans. The boy’s appearance gave the impression that he was more into practicality and comfort than fashion. He didn’t seem like he enjoyed revealing his skin. Therefore, based off of Rosenfield and Plax’s study, the first girl fits more into the exhibitionism category. The second girl fits more into the clothing consciousness category. The boy fits more into the practicality category.
8. Find three people who are using artifacts to speak on their behalf. What are the artifacts and what do you think they hope they are saying?
According to our textbook, an artifact is defined as “accessories used to adorn our bodies and clothing” (Richmond et al.,2012). The first person I observed using an artifact to speak on their behalf was a woman. This woman walked into the store with a backpack on. First, when the woman arrived at the store, she kind of surprised me because there was no car in front of the store. Secondly, her backpack was big and sort of bulky. It didn’t look like a school backpack. The backpack looked like it was used more as a suitcase than for school backpack. Also, by just looking at the backpack you can tell that it is either old or just used a lot because it is worn in places and was a little dirty. I think the artifact (the backpack) says that this woman carries a lot of things around with her. I think the state of the artifact also says that the woman is very prepared. For example, based on how big her backpack is, and from the assumption that she walked to the store, I would further assume that she would have a drink, some snacks, a hat or maybe an umbrella (based on the weather), etc.
The second person I observed using an artifact to speak on their behalf was a teenage boy wearing a hat. This boy’s hat was orange and had the trademark “T” for Tennessee. Based off of the color and the logo on the hat, I made the assumption that this boy enjoys football. I assume he is a Tennessee Vols fan. It is even possible that he is a student at UT Knoxville, and is just home for Labor Day weekend.
The third person I observed using an artifact to speak on their behalf was an older woman with a necklace on. Her necklace golden and had a pendant on it. The pendant was a golden cross. Based off the artifact, I assume that she is a religious woman, who probably goes to church on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, and Wednesday nights.
9. Find a person who is an Endomorph, a person who is a Mesomorph and a person who is an Ectomorph. What were your immediate assumptions about their personality based on their body shapes?
According to the textbook, the endomorph body type is defined as people who “have rounded, oval-shaped bodies, are usually heavy (though not necessarily obese), and are often described as pear-shaped.” (Richmond et al.,2012). The person I found who is an endomorph was an older man around the age of 40-45. He was wearing a grey t-shirt, faded blue jeans, and work boots. The man was not chubby, but also not muscular. He had a little bit of muscle, but not much. The man was had a little bit of a belly, but once again was not huge. Based on the man’s body shape and appearance, I immediately assume that he does not work out regularly, does not eat healthy (by which I mean he probably doesn’t diet or count calories), and he seemed very nice/friendly.
According to the textbook, the mesomorph body type is defined as people “characterized by a triangular body shape that is broad at the shoulders and tapers to the hips. Their shape is firm and muscular in appearance, with all the curves and angles in the right places, at least for U.S. culture. They are frequently described as athletic in appearance.” (Richmond et al.,2012). The person I found who is a mesomorph was a young man, who was around the age of 20-23. He was wearing shorts, Nike shoes, and a shirt that appeared like it was a dry-fit shirt. The young man was very muscular, particularly in the biceps and calves. Based on the man’s body shape and appearance, I immediately assume that he goes to the gym to work out, he eats healthy (by which I mean he probably does diet and counts calories), and he is very energetic.
According to the textbook, the ectomorph body type is defined as people “characterized as bony, thin, and tall. They have a fragile-looking physique, flat chest, and underedeveloped muscular tone.” (Richmond et al.,2012). The person I found who is an ectomorph was a younger girl who was around the ages of 16-18. She was wearing a Lincoln County High School t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and red Converse. Her hair was intricately braided and there was no hair out of place. She also had quite a bit of makeup on, none of which was messy. The girl was very skinny. She wasn’t short, but not necessarily a giant either. She did not appear to be very muscular, so I assume she didn’t play any sports. Based on the girl’s body shape and appearance, I immediately assume that she was very precise/meticulous in her appearance. I also assume that she may be a bit self-conscious with how she looks.
10. Find an outfit/ article of clothing (and upload a photo of it with the assignment) that you feel like is a CLEAR representation of a “social group” (example: a prep, a goth, a jock, a nerd, etc.). Explain why you think it “says” that.
Below I have attached two pictures.
One picture is an outfit that I feel like is a clear representation of a jock “social group.” I feel like this is a clear representation of a jock mainly because of the jacket that is shown. When I think of a jock, I think about all of the movies/tv shows that I’ve seen (particularly a lot of 90s movies or tv shows I’ve seen). Usually, most of the characters described as jocks always have a letterman jacket that they wear everywhere. The letterman jacket is also usually paired with an athletic shoe like Nike, Under Armor, Adidas, or even Converse. The athletic shoes are practical and are great for sports hence the jock “social group.”
The other picture is an outfit that I feel like is a clear representation of a nerd “social group.” I feel like this is a clear repreentation of a nerd because of the glasses, the hair style, and the sweater with the collar mainly. Once again, when I think of a nerd, I think about all of the movies/tv shows the I’ve seen. Usually, most of the characters described as nerds are withdrawn and don’t like to draw attentions to themselves. They like to be presentable but not flashy. Also in most of the movies I’ve seen, the nerd characters almost always wear glasses, or (if the character is a girl) have their hair in a ponytail. Furthermore, the sweater with a collared shirt paired with the shirt and tights just screams nerd to me. It’s presentable, but not flashy or trendy.
Sources Richmond, V. P., McCroskey, J. C., & Hickson, M. (2012). Nonverbal behavior in interpersonal relations. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.
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