Social norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that govern behavior within a society. They are constructed and reinforced through various mechanisms, and individuals learn and internalize them through observation, questioning, and teaching and being taught. In contrast, the rules of a sport are recorded and publicly accessible to anyone. There are no mysteries as long as someone has taken the time to read the rulebook. However, it could be argued that referees or judges add ambiguity. The participants must learn how the rules are applied. Does this referee tend to call lots of fouls or none at all? Is the inside or the outside of the plate a strike or a ball? As long as the referee is consistent, participants can learn and use this information to aid them in the game.

Through observation, children learn how to behave in different social situations by watching the behavior of those around them. This observational learning process is not just crucial, but it's the very foundation of forming a person's understanding of social norms. By observing how the rules are adjudicated during the game, the athlete not only learns how they are applied but also can adjust their game accordingly. Learning how the rules are applied can be expedited by actively questioning the official (as long as they are receptive to giving this type of feedback). The interviewer gleans new information to apply to the observation by asking questions.

This game will feel similar to how someone might feel when encountering a completely different culture (especially if there is a language barrier). Luckily, for the students' benefit, there will not be a language barrier when discovering the game's rules. However, the only things the students know at the beginning of the game are the playing area and whether the game is individual or team-based. By asking questions and observing the judgments of the referee based on the player's actions, the students slowly uncover how the game is played successfully.

Materials:

• A large playing area (gym or field)

• Any material that you would like to use for the game

  o If you choose to use the game from this lesson plan, all you need is a ball

• Minimum Number of Students Needed: Theoretically, this game could be played with as few as two students if you have an individual-based game. However, if you have an entire class of students, it is better to make it a team-based game.

• Prior Knowledge: This lesson could be used to introduce psychological concepts like socialization or within the study of cultural interactions.