- Master suppression techniques
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The Master suppression techniques were a framework articulated in the late 1970s by the Norwegian social psychologist Berit Ås[1] to describe five means by which, according to her, women are subjugated to in supposedly patriarchical Western societies. Master suppression techniques are said to be strategies of social manipulation by which a dominant group maintains such a position in a (established or unexposed) hierarchy. They are very prominent in Scandinavian scholarly and public debate, where the expression is also used to refer to types of social manipulation not part of Ås's framework.[2] Master suppression techniques are sometimes called domination techniques.[3]
Contents
The original five master supression techniques
Making invisible
To silence or otherwise marginalize persons in opposition by ignoring them.
Examples:
- Another speaker takes something you have said as if it was an idea of their own, or starts speaking despite it being your turn.
- As it is your turn to speak, the other attendees start to talk to each other, browse through their papers, etc.
Ridicule
See also: Appeal to ridiculeIn a manipulative way to portray the arguments of, or their opponents themselves, in a ridiculing fashion.
Example:
- Another speaker laughs at your accent and compares you to a character in a humorous TV show (although you had something important to say).
- When making an accusation of wrongdoing against someone, you are being told that you look cute when you're angry.
Withhold information
To exclude a person from the decision making process, or knowingly not forwarding information so as to make the person less able to make an informed choice.
Examples:
- Your colleagues have a meeting that concerns you, without inviting you.
- Decisions are made not in a conference where everyone is present, but at a dinner party later in the evening, where only some attendants have been invited.
Double bind
See also: Double bindTo punish or otherwise belittle the actions of a person, regardless of how they act.
Examples:
- When you do your work tasks thoroughly, you receive complaints for being too slow. When you do them efficiently, you're critiqued for being sloppy.
- A man is critiqued for not helping out with domestic work, but is called unmanly when doing so.
Heap blame/put to shame
To embarrass someone, or to insinuate that they are themselves to blame for their position.
Example:
- You inform your manager that you are being slandered, but are told it is your fault since you dress provokingly.
Later additions
Berit Ås has since added two supplementary master suppression techniques.[4]
Objectifying
See also: ObjectificationTo discuss the appearance of one or several persons in a situation where it is irrelevant.
Force/threat of force
To threaten with or use one's physical strength towards one or several persons.
Example:
- "One more word from you and I'll smash your face!"
References
- ^ Ås, Berit. "Hersketeknikker". Kjerringråd (Oslo) (1978:3): 17–21. ISSN 0800-0565.
- ^ Andrén, Maria (2008-03-11). "Så hanterar du skitsnacket". Chef. Ledarna. http://www.chef.se/dynamisk/index.php/ur_chef/senaste_numret_details/sa-hanterar-du-skitsnack/188651.html. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
- ^ The Centre for Gender Equality, Norway (April 2001). "Domination techniques: what they are and how to combat them" (pdf). pp. 12. http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/daphnetoolkit/files/projects/2002_181/int_domination_techniques_norway.pdf. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
- ^ Ås, Berit (2004). "The Five Master Suppression Techniques". Women In White: The European Outlook. Stockholm: Stockholm City Council. pp. 78–83. ISBN 91-631-5716-0.
External links
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