Master suppression techniques
Social manipulation strategies that maintain dominant group hierarchies.
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Master suppression techniques are strategies of social manipulation used by a dominant group to maintain its position in a hierarchy. The framework was articulated in the late 1970s by Norwegian social psychologist Berit Ås, building on earlier work by Ingjald Nissen and Harriet Holter. Originally developed in a feminist context as a tool for women to recognize and resist manipulation, the concept is now applied more broadly in Scandinavian society, including discussions of mental health and workplace bullying.
Quick Facts
- Originator
- Berit Ås
- Nationality
- Norwegian
- Field
- Social psychology
- Era of articulation
- Late 1970s
- Earlier contributors
- Ingjald Nissen, Harriet Holter
Facts from the source article.
The five master suppression techniques according to Ås
The first technique involves silencing or marginalizing opponents by ignoring them. Examples include a speaker claiming an opponent's idea as their own, or attendees talking among themselves or shuffling papers while the opponent speaks. The second technique is ridiculing an opponent or their arguments, such as telling someone they look cute when angry during an accusation.
The third technique excludes a person from decision-making or withholds information to impair informed choice, for instance by not inviting them to a meeting about a matter that concerns them or making decisions at a later dinner party to which only some are invited. The fourth technique punishes or belittles an opponent regardless of their actions: thorough work may draw complaints of slowness, while efficient work is called sloppy. The fifth technique involves embarrassing someone or insinuating they are to blame for their situation, such as telling a person who raises concerns about slander that it is their fault because of how they dress.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Master suppression techniques (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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