Participant Observation
Walking Down the Street
Note: Paper does a good job of providing a possible explanation underlying the rules discovered. I’ve bolded how course concepts were properly applied.
The qualitative approach to research focuses on people in their own natural settings or habitats. This allows the researcher to observe the people on their own terms and see their situations through their own eyes. They gain knowledge through extensive observation. Then, logic is applied to these observations. After examining observations, the researcher forms a theory. This process is known as inductive reasoning. A qualitative researcher uses language to represent any knowledge or information gained. This paper uses the qualitative method to examine an everyday activity and make up a theory. Although the situation is very common, there is an underlying complexity that keeps it running smoothly. The process that people use when walking on the sidewalk seems trivial. However, hundreds of people pass through areas each minute and follow a specific routine. This process is not discussed, yet everyone follows it and obeys the rules. The result is a smooth traffic flow of people.
I chose this topic because it is an activity that everyone participates in. If there were not any rules, chaotic behavior is possible. At first, I did not realize how systematic this simple process is. After observing how many people pass through a limited area in just minutes, it was apparent how important these rules are. My research question was the same throughout the study. "What rules govern people as they walk down the sidewalk with crowds of people?" This question is the focus of this paper.
The setting I chose was the south sidewalk on Fullerton Avenue, around its intersection with Sheffield Avenue. I made observations on a Wednesday during the rush hour, which is very congested with commuters. Also, DePaul students are everywhere. This area seemed good because it had enough people to where congestion is a problem. Also, people are late and in a hurry. When people are in a hurry, they are usually not in a good mood. They become impatient and pushy. I felt that this would demonstrate whether or not these rules are followed. If they follow the rules under all circumstances, the theory would be strongly supported.
I intended to focus on the interactions between strangers when one is in the other’s way. These interactions went more smoothly than I expected. I expected people to be more impatient and ruder than they were. The verbal behavior was minute. Most of my observations were based on the body language of the people. This involves the way they walk, lean, swing their arms, move their heads, etc. The ecological distribution was also noted. This has to do with how much space people allow for others.
In terms of making observations, I was the complete observer. I rotated between my car and the side of The Sanctuary on the side of Fullerton Avenue. No one looked at me or knew they were being observed. Being a complete observer is beneficial because the behavior of the subjects is more natural. I cannot interact with any of them, so there is no possibility of reactivity. Also, there is not the risk of going native. Sitting in my car allowed me to take good notes. I was able to completely focus on the subjects and their actions. A disadvantage to this method is that I did not have access to private information because I did not have the opportunity to interact ‘with the individuals. I did not have an insider’s view. My interpretations were those of an outsider. However, I have walked down the same strip I observed under similar circumstances. This enabled me to interpret my observations with more insight than the usual complete observer.
The rules of traffic on the sidewalk are similar to those of the road. Most important of the rules is to stay to the right. If someone is walking very slowly, he or she is to move all the way to the right. When passing an individual, the passer gains speed and passes on the left. This can only be done when there is no one in the oncoming traffic lane. If someone in the lane notices that there is someone gaining on him, he has the option of speeding up or moving to the right so he can be passed. At this point, there may be a brief "Excuse me," or "Sorry," as the passer gets around him. Certain people feel the need to weave in and out of traffic and lanes to get ahead of everyone. These people maneuver their bodies around the slower-moving bodies with extreme ease.
There are specific notable instances that define the rules. For example, three people were walking together. They took up the entire width of the sidewalk. When someone was coming towards them, the one on the far left moved back and to the right to let the person pass by them. They went back to using the whole sidewalk until there was oncoming traffic again. Again, the same routine was followed.
One man was dressed and groomed well. He appeared to be a business man, wearing a trench coat and carrying a briefcase. He weaved in and out of people with ease. He was impatient and in a hurry. Several people attempted to get out of his way, but he was too fast for them. The weaver mumbled "‘Scuse me" out of habit as he bumped in to each person.
Two women were running together. When they were behind a group of people, the group automatically pulled to the right in a panicked manner. They looked as if they feared the runners were going to run them over. After the runners passed, the group carefully resumed their places in the left lane.
One man was walking at a leisurely pace in the left lane. He heard the loud and pounding on the sidewalk behind him. He looked over his right shoulder, similar to checking one’s blind spot, and moved to the right lane to let a hurried woman pass. Then, he looked to see if anyone else was coming. No one was, so he moved back to the left lane.
There was an apparently homeless man moving very slowly in the right lane. He took up a lot of space with his shopping cart. People treated him the way we treat slow-moving vehicles. They looked annoyed and rushed to get around him, for he held up traffic in the right lane. People exchanged annoyed sighs as they attempted to maneuver around him without touching him or his belongings.
The people observed attempt to keep space between themselves and strangers. When a walking partner is in someone’s way, he pulls him out of the way. People exchange knowing looks when someone is in the way and not attempting to move. Verbal behavior comes out of habit. Any sort of language is a mumbled, systematic response. In terms of tie-bonds, certain people were holding hands, or looking into each other’s eyes when they spoke. However, this positive interactions is only for people walking together. Most walkers were intent on staying out of everyone’s way (ecological distribution). Certain body language was easy to read. Annoyed looks and rolled eyes came from people who were not in a hurry and were not happy about having to get out of the way. Nevertheless, everyone followed the rules, whether they liked it or not.
These observations define the rules of the sidewalk. The processes are not discussed, yet everyone understands them. The rules probably began when driving with direction began. The need for order allowed these rules to be accepted. The road has traffic lights, lines, and signs to tell drivers what to do and where to go. The sidewalk is an extension of that. People use their driving skills and knowledge and apply them to walking in crowds. However, there are people who do not drive. They would not have as full of an understanding as the rest. They have learned the rules through experience. They are surrounded by the majority that drives, and are forced to follow the same rules.
These rules keep order. They prevent people from walking into each other head-on and getting hurt. Also, it keeps people on schedule. Walking is easier for them when everyone around them is going the same way. Some people are not in such a hurry, so they move to the right allowing those who are eager to pass. If there were not rules, people would be bumping in to each other. There would be no sense of organization or order. Order prevents conflicts. The obstruction of conflicts makes chaos unlikely. This results in a somewhat peaceful, systematic environment.
If I were to do this study again, I would perform it at a different time. The different times would have an impact. For example, if it was anywhere from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., people would be in an even bigger rush, for they are on their way to work. They would be hurrying to get to work on time. There may be less passing at this time because everyone would be in a hurry. Also, I would like to be walking up and down the sidewalk with the people. This would allow me to hear what people are saying, if anything. I would attempt to get in someone’s way and observe how he or she reacts. However, this stimuli may be construed as reactivity. Observing people somewhere other than the "El" would be different. They may not be in as much of a hurry, and there is less traffic. Observing people under the age of sixteen would be different. They do not understand the rules of the road. Being with people who know the rules may have enough impact on them. The experiences of practicing it subconsciously when following others could enable them to gain insight. However, they may not know when they have the right of way, or when they need to move to the right. Their knowledge and understanding is more limited than that of a driver.
These rules can also be found in "The Rules of the Road," which the State of Illinois publishes. It explains every rule that must be followed by automobile drivers. Most of this knowledge and these skills can be transferred to the rules of the sidewalk. The rules work on the road, so we simply adopted them on the sidewalk. They prevent injury, keep order, and get us places on time. We do not have to think about these rules, for they come naturally. It is only through observing someone else do it that it becomes apparent.