Armond Harold
Soc 385
Blog 10
French sociologist Michel Foucault studied the many dimensions of power including its definition, its function in the world, what it controls, and the many ways it has been implemented. A specific form of power, disciplinary power, has a major focus in Foucault’s work. Foucault notes that disciplinary power is an augmentation of traditional power, in the sense that it was meant to govern institutions, instead of the individual. One such institution that can be considered is male heterosexuality. When we look at it through the lens that Foucault has given us, we will clearly see that the institution of male heterosexuality is controlled with disciplinary power.
Male heterosexuality can be thought of as a docile body, or a body that is easily manipulated and molded, and improved. The docile body is the product of discipline. With this docility, male heterosexuality can be converted, improved, and utilized by disciplinary power with the use of three techniques: scale of control, object of control, and modality.
The scale of control tears down any body into parts. These parts are in turn significantly easier to manipulate. For example, when we tear down the heterosexual male, we are able to see it as a few things, such as physical appearance and emotions. When a male’s physical appearance is in order with society’s views of what it should be (short hair, hairy body, etc.) along with being aggressive and easy going, his parts are controlled and compelled to comply with the standards set forth by the society’s system of control.
The object of control teaches consistency through repetition. The same actions assigned to the body are performed over and over again. When the heterosexual male constantly complies with the rules set forth to him, the actions become not only a routine that he obediently follows, they also further train him to disassociate himself with any alternative behavior. When he makes sure that his hair doesn’t go beyond a certain length and doesn’t shave his armpits, a male generally doesn’t consider alternatives to this practice.
Modality is big brother watching—the constant control of activity. With modality, the heterosexual male knows that he is being watched by society, even when he is alone. Every part of his heterosexual makeup is being monitored, and he is motivated by these eyes to continue to conform. Modality creates an unconscious paranoia in the heterosexual male. He feels that his actions, movements, and even his thoughts are being observed by his peers, and deviating from any approved process is something that will be noticed. With that, the heterosexual male makes sure that his wardrobe is free of dresses and the color pink and he does not care if his clothes get dirty.
Foucault studied the complex world of power, and gave us a lot of insight on how it acts upon us. He also showed us that power can adapt to the object that it will be controlling. One specific adaptation, disciplinary power, is employed to control institutions. The institution of male heterosexuality is a very good example to look at how Foucault’s disciplinary power regulates and control an institution.
Soc 385
Blog 10
French sociologist Michel Foucault studied the many dimensions of power including its definition, its function in the world, what it controls, and the many ways it has been implemented. A specific form of power, disciplinary power, has a major focus in Foucault’s work. Foucault notes that disciplinary power is an augmentation of traditional power, in the sense that it was meant to govern institutions, instead of the individual. One such institution that can be considered is male heterosexuality. When we look at it through the lens that Foucault has given us, we will clearly see that the institution of male heterosexuality is controlled with disciplinary power.
Male heterosexuality can be thought of as a docile body, or a body that is easily manipulated and molded, and improved. The docile body is the product of discipline. With this docility, male heterosexuality can be converted, improved, and utilized by disciplinary power with the use of three techniques: scale of control, object of control, and modality.
The scale of control tears down any body into parts. These parts are in turn significantly easier to manipulate. For example, when we tear down the heterosexual male, we are able to see it as a few things, such as physical appearance and emotions. When a male’s physical appearance is in order with society’s views of what it should be (short hair, hairy body, etc.) along with being aggressive and easy going, his parts are controlled and compelled to comply with the standards set forth by the society’s system of control.
The object of control teaches consistency through repetition. The same actions assigned to the body are performed over and over again. When the heterosexual male constantly complies with the rules set forth to him, the actions become not only a routine that he obediently follows, they also further train him to disassociate himself with any alternative behavior. When he makes sure that his hair doesn’t go beyond a certain length and doesn’t shave his armpits, a male generally doesn’t consider alternatives to this practice.
Modality is big brother watching—the constant control of activity. With modality, the heterosexual male knows that he is being watched by society, even when he is alone. Every part of his heterosexual makeup is being monitored, and he is motivated by these eyes to continue to conform. Modality creates an unconscious paranoia in the heterosexual male. He feels that his actions, movements, and even his thoughts are being observed by his peers, and deviating from any approved process is something that will be noticed. With that, the heterosexual male makes sure that his wardrobe is free of dresses and the color pink and he does not care if his clothes get dirty.
Foucault studied the complex world of power, and gave us a lot of insight on how it acts upon us. He also showed us that power can adapt to the object that it will be controlling. One specific adaptation, disciplinary power, is employed to control institutions. The institution of male heterosexuality is a very good example to look at how Foucault’s disciplinary power regulates and control an institution.