CRITICAL THEORIES TRADITION
• h e l ps u s u n d er sta n d h o w c o m m u ni c a tio n is u s e d to o p p res s , a nd p ro v id e s wa y s t o
f o s te r p o siti ve so c ia l c h a n g e .
• c h a l le n g e th e sta tu s q u o o f c o m m u n i ca t io n c o n te x ts
• lo o k f o r a lte r n at iv e s to t h os e f o r m s o f o p p r e s s i v e c o m m u n ic at io n
C R I T I C A L T H E O R I E S d i ff e r f r o m o t h e r t h e o r e t i c a l a p p r o a c h e s b e c a u s e t h e y s e e k p r a x i s a s
the overarching goal
PRAXIS is the combination of theory and action .
- rather than simply seeking to understand power structures, critical theories actively
seek to change them in positive ways.
MUTED GROUP THEORY
• -articulated by anthropologists Ardener and Ardener,
•in every society there are cultural groups who are traditionally muted
• muted groups are given less access than members of the dominant groups to
public discourse and to having their individual and community concerns heard.
•originally used to explain gender differences, but has been applied to other
situations
Four tenets of MGT
1. Dominance.
• Because dominant and sub-dominant groups have different experiences, they
perceive the world differently.
• The dominant group is privileged to create and define terms.
• Dominant and sub-dominant groups operate as “simultaneities”,
• But there may be movement between membership in groups.
2. Acceptability
• The sub-dominant group’s modes of expression are less acceptable to and less
respected by the dominant group.
Four tenets of MGT
3. Subordination.
• The sub-dominant groups must use the dominant mode of communication, either translating into
the dominant mode of expression or becoming “bilingual” and speaking in both modes.
• Normalizing and centering all points of reference within the dominant experience, while the voices
of non-dominant individuals and groups are minimized, stigmatized, or muted, can be described
as cultural imperialism.
4. Resistance and Change.
•An integral and vital component of MGT is that resistance and change are possible.
•MGT also provides the tools for confronting and resisting the muting of marginalized groups.
Application
The muted group theory can be applied to understand the problems of the marginalized groups.
Can you think of communication phenomenon in which MGT can be applied?
STANDPOINT THEORY
People see the world from where they stand; this is their standpoint.
Everybody has different standpoints depending on their social, political and economic life, which affects
their worldview.
The theory that defines this viewpoint is known as Standpoint Theory.
Standpoint Theory assumes that people’s experiences, knowledge and opinions are shaped by the social
groups to which they belong.
The theory was first introduced by Georg W. F. Hegel in 1807 by studying the standpoints of masters and
slaves and their differences.
The new feminist theory was used for communication by Sandra Harding and Julia T. Wood to explain how
people see the world define how they speak and behave.
Modern Standpoint Theory operates according to a few basic assumptions
1. People’s social communities determine the types of information they receive and which issues
they find important.
However, since people generally belong to multiple social groups, it’s possible for a person to
possess several standpoints at once, creating a unique worldview.
2. Formulating a standpoint is a conscious, active process.
To obtain a standpoint, a person must recognize and evaluate their experiences and social position.
3. Differences in standpoints arise from social inequalities.
A poor man living in a hut, for instance, views the world much differently than a millionaire
living in a mansion.
Standpoint Theory
Standpoint theorists claim that people in marginalized positions tend to express a more objective view of
reality than members of privileged groups.
People outside positions of power must adopt the attitudes and behaviors common to privileged groups in
order to assimilate into the dominant culture.
Their struggle for validation also provides them with more convincing experiences.
These factors result in a broad perspective of various social groups and their interactions.
Privileged individuals have no need to observe the realities of inferior groups,
Their standpoints are usually narrow and biased by comparison.
