L11 Foucault Flashcards
How did Foucault see discourse?
As a system for representing or constructing reality.
According to constructionist theories, when do things take on meaning or become knowledge?
When they become part of the discourse.
What type of power was Foucault interested in?
The subtle type of power that comes through language.
Where did Foucault believe power was embedded in?
Our systems of language and in our systems of social organisation.
What did Foucault mean by “Regimes of Truth”?
Truth is always related to specific social organizations that are hierarchical and oppressive.
How did Foucault see fields like Psychology and Psychiatry?
They omit power as “systems of sense-making that became controlling”
or “systems of knowledge that become institutionalised”
Why do institutions of knowledge hold great power?
Because they set a normalised ‘standard’ that must be met for all people. If people do not meet this constructed standard it can have severe negative effects on their lives (e.g. admissions to a psych ward, lifelong diagnosis)
If psychology institutions say “if there is a problem you should change yourself somehow” what would Foucault say this is an example of?
A discursive construct made by those who have institutional power.
(mental problems are constructed concepts)
What claim do societies construct to control and discipline their populations according to Foucault?
Through claims about what is normal and abnormal
(developing regimes of truth about normality)
Which institutions are responsible for attempting to define normality (and what is abnormal) according to Foucault?
The human sciences.
What did Foucault mean by ‘subject positions people occupy’?
Subject positions are our position in a hierarchy or normalised standard which can lead you to be subject to the authority and power/control (employee, a clinical diagnosis etc.)
They can massively influence our lives and are constructed by the institutions in power.
What is critical psychology concerned with?
Pointing out the social and historical roots of current psychological ‘facts’
What are some critical psychology ways of looking at Psychological theories, rather than accepting them as truth?
- Their place within historical context
- Their ideological underpinnings (the way knowledge is used to promote power)
- The forms of society which they support or foster.
