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Reading period riots represent a Gergen explained that reading period Gordon W. Allport, professor of Psychology, had a different explanation for the phenomenon: "A freshman feels it is his duty as a Harvard man to raise a ruckus some hot May night," he said. A Tradition Pointing out the fact that the Spring riots have become College tradition, Allport added that "no one wants to violate a tradition." He said, however, that he felt that the explanation for riots was physiological rather than sociological or psychological. "It's impossible to study or do much of anything else in hot weather," he said. "Everyone has a physiological need to get out of doors." Norman W. Storer, assistant professor of Sociology, expanded on the hot weather theory. "When a lot of people all get together, they feel very uncomfortable until somebody defines the situation for them," he said. Complex Panty Raids Chad Gordon, assistant professor of Sociology, feels that the reasons underlying the panty raids are too complex to be described merely as tradition or reaction to pressure. "There is a definite tradition of 'letting off steam'," he admitted. He added that every incoming class feels a need to uphold the custom for fear of being considered "dull." Gordon said, however, that the basic explanation is a sociological one. "With exams coming up, there is a strong set of individuating pressures on the students," he explained, since a person's performance on his exams is a direct reflection of his own ability.
Gergen explained that reading period Gordon W. Allport, professor of Psychology, had a different explanation for the phenomenon: "A freshman feels it is his duty as a Harvard man to raise a ruckus some hot May night," he said. A Tradition Pointing out the fact that the Spring riots have become College tradition, Allport added that "no one wants to violate a tradition." He said, however, that he felt that the explanation for riots was physiological rather than sociological or psychological. "It's impossible to study or do much of anything else in hot weather," he said. "Everyone has a physiological need to get out of doors." Norman W. Storer, assistant professor of Sociology, expanded on the hot weather theory. "When a lot of people all get together, they feel very uncomfortable until somebody defines the situation for them," he said. Complex Panty Raids Chad Gordon, assistant professor of Sociology, feels that the reasons underlying the panty raids are too complex to be described merely as tradition or reaction to pressure. "There is a definite tradition of 'letting off steam'," he admitted. He added that every incoming class feels a need to uphold the custom for fear of being considered "dull." Gordon said, however, that the basic explanation is a sociological one. "With exams coming up, there is a strong set of individuating pressures on the students," he explained, since a person's performance on his exams is a direct reflection of his own ability.
Gordon W. Allport, professor of Psychology, had a different explanation for the phenomenon: "A freshman feels it is his duty as a Harvard man to raise a ruckus some hot May night," he said.
A Tradition
Pointing out the fact that the Spring riots have become College tradition, Allport added that "no one wants to violate a tradition."
He said, however, that he felt that the explanation for riots was physiological rather than sociological or psychological. "It's impossible to study or do much of anything else in hot weather," he said. "Everyone has a physiological need to get out of doors."
Norman W. Storer, assistant professor of Sociology, expanded on the hot weather theory. "When a lot of people all get together, they feel very uncomfortable until somebody defines the situation for them," he said.
Complex Panty Raids
Chad Gordon, assistant professor of Sociology, feels that the reasons underlying the panty raids are too complex to be described merely as tradition or reaction to pressure. "There is a definite tradition of 'letting off steam'," he admitted. He added that every incoming class feels a need to uphold the custom for fear of being considered "dull."
Gordon said, however, that the basic explanation is a sociological one. "With exams coming up, there is a strong set of individuating pressures on the students," he explained, since a person's performance on his exams is a direct reflection of his own ability.
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