Sociology lessons?

Question

Hi all, I'm trying to find interesting lessons for my ESL Sociology class. Today, I lectured about the Milgram Experiment, and they really enjoyed it, and they wanted more information about famous experiments. What other famous experiments are there?

Answer 1

I personally do not talk much about experiments in sociology because sociologists do not use experiments that often.  Of course, the reason for this is because sociologists are interested in social interaction among people in their natural setting.  Experiment or lab settings do not allow for the observation of natural interaction because it is a controlled environment.  

One suggestion I have for you is to give your students the opportunity to play the role of a researcher. Tell them that they are to engage in a norm-breaking exercise (without breaking the law) and report their experience back to the class.  An example I give my students is stepping into an elevator with people in it and facing the back wall instead of facing forward.  I ask them to tell the class what the reaction was to their behavior and how they felt doing it.  It is a fun little exercise that teaches students about social norms and conformity.  I hope this helps.