Premium Essay

Standpoint Theory

Submitted By
Words 3352
Pages 14
Standpoint Theory in a Modern Context: Addressing Concerns of Marginalized Society

Lindsey Petersen

Arizona State University

Standpoint Theory in a Modern Context: Addressing Concerns of Marginalized Society

Within the last year, much publicity has been dominated by stories and uprisings from police in connection with the loss of African-American lives. The reactions to these situations vastly differ from the perspective of a young-black male in a low-income community to that of a white, well privileged, police officer. Although African-American males (or any group sharing distinct commonalities) might share experiences and perspectives in regards to ethnicity and gender, they are not solely defined by such categories. To expand further, we can analyze the differing viewpoints of those in privilege in America, to the viewpoints of the marginalized groups to gain better insight into our society. The Standpoint communication theory aims to allow us a point of view through which an individual can see and …show more content…
The researchers interviewed the women via one-hour oral interviews to gain insight on their experiences in the academic discipline about using patriarchal language in their studies. The qualitative data was then categorized into common themes. Five themes prominently evolved from the interviews; feelings of isolation, desire for community, feelings of invisibility, feelings of overvisibiliy and energy dissipation. This study aimed to help the women loosen the bonds of oppression and create positive change within their education experience. In conclusion, the women agreed that a series of social gatherings for women in the department would increase moral and benefit the departments

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Standpoint Theory

...Standpoint Theory A standpoint is a place from which we view the world that determines what we focus on as well as what we don’t know. The standpoint is a specific location in time and space that determines how one sees the world. The social groups like sexuality, socio economic status, gender, etc. we belong to shape how we see the world and how we communicate. Not that everyone in that social group will have the exact same view point but they’ll be closer to each other. Now, the problem is that these social groups influence the way we see the world, but all the groups were not treated as equals. For example, poor people might be oppressed by the rich community; historically, women were not considered as important as men; blacks and whites were not treated equally, etc. Therefore, it was observed that some groups were treated better than others and some group oppressed others. Societal inequalities generate distinctive accounts of nature and social relationships. The standpoint theory argues that the perspective from the lives of the less powerful provide a more objective perspective than lives of the powerful. So, poor people have a better and comprehensive way of seeing the world compared to the rich people. The standpoint theorist idea suggests that dominant people have a less objective view of the world. Privileged groups are not forced to observe the realities of inferior groups; therefore their standpoints are more narrow and biased. In Indian context as we see, there...

Words: 1195 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Standpoint Theory by Georg Hegel

...Standpoint theory by Georg Hegel analyzed the master-slave relationship. The theory discusses people's belonging positions. The purport of the theory is that people’s experiences, opinions, and knowledge are shaped by the social groups they belong to. That means that the social groups we belong to shape how we see the word and how we communicate. According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, standpoint is “a position from which objects or principles are viewed and according to which they are compared and judged.” The theory contained many elements such as society structure, social location and experience, cultural structure, power and access to power, and reality. To illustrate what Hegel meant in his theory, He assumed that slaves are happy with their lives as long as the masters provide them food, clothes, drink, and places to sleep in. Also, he assumed that slaves, who were oppressed and harassed, can eventually reach a state of freedom of consciousness as a result of their realization of self-consciousness through struggles against the master, and by getting involved in physical labor in projects that help them to find their ways in life. Moreover, he assumed that slaves have a different perception of chains and punishment. Standpoint theory has been argued and criticized by many researchers. First of all, researchers believe that formulating a standpoint is a conscious and active process. To obtain a standpoint, a person must recognize and evaluate others experiences...

Words: 899 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Genders

...Theories of Gender Communication Harding, S. (1991). Whose science? Whose knowledge? Thinking from women’s lives. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Kramarae, C. (1981). Women and men speaking. Rowley, MA: Newbury House. Tannen, D. (1990). You just don’t understand. New York: Ballantine. Genderlect Theory – Deborah Tannen Tannen believes that the best way to describe communication between the genders is in a cross-cultural format. Women use rapport talk to establish meaningful connection with others, while men use report talk to gain status in relation to others. Because women and men use language differently, Tannen suggests they are speaking different dialects, or genderlects. The goal of genderlect theory is to acknowledge and appreciate the language of the opposite sex and achieve mutual respect and understanding. (Semiotic and socio-cultural traditions) Genderlect theory is evaluated on the back of this page. |Tenet |Clarification | | | | |Why We Communicate: Women seek connection, men seek status. |Women engage in communication to build and maintain relationships with | | |others. By contrast, men are...

Words: 758 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Feyerbrand

...Question 1 Feyerbrands viewpoint of science and religion comes in a rather subjective perspective. He believe science to be as subjective as religion, even though the common standpoint of philosophy and science states that science and religion are different, and that science holds a privileged standpoint as the core source of knowledge. Science is the most reliable and credible method of acquiring knowledge about the universe. 0I will be arguing along with Feyerbrands, that science is fundamentally as subjective as religion is. Science itself is a religion. Feyerbrands main arguments are; Tat science is not so different from religion, science does not have a privileged status and lastly it is not the “best” method for acquiring knowledge. As a kid, I was always brought up believing that if something had “scientific backing” that it would be a legitimate reasoning/cause. Whenever a new product or supplement or statement made it to the market, we always asked for its scientific proof or studies and even though when presented with them, we hardly ever read them. The thought of knowing there is science involved persuaded one to believe it was superior to something without any science. It seems as science has become a nor, developed by majority of the western democracies, thus giving science a privileged status, when in matter of fact as per Feyerbrands it is not. Feyerbrand relates the science method as “one of the many thoughts that have been developed by man, and not...

Words: 1145 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Afro-Centric Theory Paper

...The role of theory in research is the framework for observation and understanding, which identifies both what we perceive and how we comprehend it. It is a systematic description for the observations that relates to a particular aspect of life (Babbie, 2017, p.8). Research theory is a generalized statement that asserts a connection between two or more types of phenomena. In other words, a theory is a system of interrelated abstracts or ideas. The role of theory guides research and organizes its ideas, and thus, the theory becomes strengthened as more supporting evidence is collected. It will provide a context for predictions, develop the capacity to generate new research, as theory is empirically relevant and often tentative. While the Afro-Centric theory has not been considered as a theoretical base to develop new models, it is imperative to build upon the philosophical concepts of the Afrocentric paradigm and encourage practitioners to embrace the developing philosophy as a theoretical framework and improve new practice models for people of African descent. To build upon this model will advance the Afrocentric paradigm shift and build toward evidence-based human services practice. Therefore, the use of the therapy building process would be useful because it begins with observations and uses inductive reasoning to derive a theory from...

Words: 587 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Ap Modes Assignment 2

...1) In order for someone to understand the dynamics of cause and effect and also to evaluate the casual argument they need to understand two important concepts, which are the necessary condition and sufficient condition. Necessary condition is a condition that has to be occurred for an event to be happened, and failed to do so the event will not occur. Sufficient Condition is a condition for the occurrence of an event is one that guarantees the event occurs. Example of a necessary condition is, in order for a student to get A+ in a chemistry course at York University, he has to the write the chemistry test. If he did not write the test he would not pass the class, equivalently if the student got an A+, then the student wrote the test. Example of a sufficient condition is, student needs to get an A+ in every single course to get a 9-grade value point or GPA in York University. If student got an A+ on every single course, then the student got a 9-grade value point or GPA. A causes B, A is individually necessary and jointly sufficient for condition B. A is being the necessary condition for B is both necessary and sufficient condition for B to be a sufficient condition for A. 2) This is an enumerative inductive argument. This argument is considered to be an enumerative inductive argument is because, it is argued from premises about some members of the group to a generalization about the entire group. In the argument, because 40 students from 50 students in our program got lower...

Words: 850 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Role of Educational Psychology in Teaching

...THE RELATION OF THEORY TO PRACTICE IN EDUCATION»1»* John Dewey From the Middle Works It is difficult, if not impossible, to define the proper relationship of theory and practice without a preliminary discussion, respectively, (1) of the nature and aim of theory; (2) of practice. A. I shall assume without argument that adequate professional instruction of teachers is not exclusively theoretical, but involves a certain amount of practical work. The primary question as to the latter is the aim with which it shall be conducted. Two controlling purposes may be entertained so different from each other as radically to alter the amount, conditions, and method of practice work. On one hand, we may carry on the practical work with the object of giving teachers in training working command of the necessary tools of their profession; control of the technique of class instruction and management; skill and proficiency in the work of teaching. With this aim in view, practice work is, as far as it goes, of the nature of apprenticeship. On the other hand, we may propose to use practice work as an instrument in making real and vital theoretical instruction; the knowledge of subject-matter and of principles of education. This is the laboratory point of view. The contrast between the two points of view is obvious; and the two aims together give the limiting terms within which all practice work falls. From one point of view, the aim is to form and equip the actual teacher; the aim is immediately...

Words: 9013 - Pages: 37

Premium Essay

Positive Theory of Accounting

...Synopsis Positive accounting theory is perceived as a hypothetical study in accounting which helps in clarifying and foreseeing tangible accounting procedures. These theories have a tendency to rationalize why a number of accounting practices are accepted than others. Positive accounting theory was introduced to better apprehend exactly how practices in accounting must be effectively managed. Introduction Modern positive accounting research began flourishing in the 1960’s and other introduce empirical finance method to financial accounting. The subsequent literature adopted the assumption that accounting number supply information for security market investment decision and used the information perspective to investigate the relation between accounting number and stack prices. The information perspective has taught us much about the market’s use of accounting numbers. It was structured as an educational thought of discipline by the efforts of Ross Watts and Jerold Zimmerman which when made known were received with extensive criticism. Summary of the Article Positive accounting can be related with the predetermined opinion of a firm. A firm is regarded as a conception initiative put forth by a number of economists and legal commentators which stresses that corporations are nothing more than a compilation of agreements concerning different parties – mostly shareholders, directors, employees, suppliers, customers and accounting – one tool to expedite the materialization...

Words: 1357 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Person Centered Therapy: The Adlerian Approach

...It is imperative that every good counselor obtains a theory as a primary basis for therapy and there are many reasons why. A good theory signifies terms and conditions when coping with clients. For example, therapists who treat behavior might use cognitive or behavioral therapy as a way towards treating a client. Other therapists who focus on past behavior might use Freud as a means for relaying or treating past experiences (Hergenhahn & Olson, 2007). Those wanting to treat clients in a holistic or unique approach may be disposed to using yunginns theories as a method for therapy (Hergenhahn & Olson, 2007). Without a good source for treatment many therapists would be lost in terms of how to handle a client. Theories are also based on...

Words: 1140 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Business Theory

...Business Theory The foundation of business theory has been, and always will be, a consistently evolving process for as long as the exchange process is around. Since the early stages of mercantilism, in the seventeenth century, business theories began to shape the daily operations of ventures. However, it should be clearly understood that a theory does not provide a definite solution to success. Instead, theories are merely “a set of assumptions, propositions, or accepted facts that attempts to provide a plausible or rational explanation of cause-and-effect relationship among a group of observed phenomenon.” These ‘acceptable facts’ will in turn shape a business’s goals to obtain success within their respective industry. Writer, and business theorist himself, Riad Ajami explains, “Theories of trade have evolved over time, beginning with the emergence of strong nation-states and the organization for systematic exchanges of goods among these nations”. (Ajami, 48) Throughout this document, six business environments (domestic, global, technological, political-legal, sociocultural, and economic) will be explored, in regards to how these environments affect the ongoing evolution of future business theories. Business theorists have changed the way people do business, not only from a domestic standpoint, but on a global level as well. The domestic and global environments are primarily based on demand conditions. ‘Conditions’ of a business theory can in turn be used in a business’s...

Words: 1438 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Essay

...How to write A Level Sociology Essay Assessment With reference to the present AEB syllabus, there are three main skills being assessed in your essays. 1. Knowledge and Understanding (9 marks) 2. Interpretation and Application (9 marks) 3. Evaluation (9 marks) What Does This Mean? What this means is that for writing an essay is that the content (studies, names of researcher, dates, figures, concepts, although important need to be organised coherently, applied to a variety of social situations and interpreted, and expressed in a critical fashion. You must be aware of the skills being highlighted in the question in order to use the appropriate skills in your essays. You should also practice writing essays regularly and develop a technique which addresses the skills required so that you can actually answer the question set. I hope that this handout should allow you to achieve this. Stage One Many students are too quick into diving into an answer. They have focused on certain key terms and ‘assumed’ what the essay requires from a quick look at the question. Instead, the question should be read a number of times. Task One With the title provided. Analyze the question by underlining the key features in the essay title Double underline the skills being assessed, e.g., describe and explain Identify any terms or concepts contained in the question. These terms will need to be defined, i.e. concepts such as interactionists. Essay questions will also include...

Words: 1452 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Family Theories

...FAMILY THEORIES (HDFS 865) Fall 2010 Tuesdays, 2:25-4:55 pm 1339 Sterling Professor Lynet Uttal Office: 338 Old Middleton Building, 1305 Linden Drive luttal@wisc.edu 306 Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive (corner of Charter) 608-263-4026 Office hours: By appointment. Send me an email with 2-3 times you are available. Course Overview HDFS 865 Family Theories is a survey course that examines the interdisciplinary study of families. The course content is organized into two sections: a) theories, ideologies and definitions of families and b) applications of family theories in practice, family programs, and policies. This course will examine “what is theorizing in family studies?” Family theories are explanatory frameworks for different ways of understanding families. Theorizing about families involves conceptualizing the lived experiences of people in relation to their own families as well as developing explanations of the social role of families in society, tracking demographic changes over time, and identifying ideologies and social forces that influence and are influenced by family life. Some theories look at how individuals develop over the life span in the context of families; others define the forms and functions of families as a social unit in society. Some look at “the family” as a unit and focus in on the internal dynamics of relationships between family members, while others look at “the family” as a subsystem or institution in the larger scope of...

Words: 5664 - Pages: 23

Premium Essay

Communication Theory as a Field

...Communication Theory Nine: Two Robert T. Craig Communication Theory as a Field May 1999 Pages 119-161 This essay reconstructs communication theory as a dialogical-dialectical field according to two principles: the constitutive model of communication as a metamodel and theory as metadiscursive practice. The essay argues that all communication theories are mutually relevant when addressed to a practical lifeworld in which “communication” is already a richly meaningful term. Each tradition of communication theory derives from and appeals rhetorically to certain commonplace beliefs about communication while challenging other beliefs. The complementarities and tensions among traditions generate a theoretical metadiscourse that intersects with and potentially informs the ongoing practical metadiscourse in society. In a tentative scheme of the field, rhetorical, semiotic, phenomenological, cybernetic, sociopsychological, sociocultural, and critical traditions of communication theory are distinguished by characteristic ways of defining communication and problems of communication, metadiscursive vocabularies, and metadiscursive commonplaces that they appeal to and challenge. Topoi for argumentation across traditions are suggested and implications for theoretical work and disciplinary practice in the field are considered. Communication theory is enormously rich in the range of ideas that fall within its nominal scope, and new theoretical work on communication ...

Words: 19908 - Pages: 80

Premium Essay

Kant's Perpetual Peace

...The field of international relations has largely developed over the years to have multiple different theories for how issues like diplomacy play out in the real world. The ways in which people believe problems in the international community should be solved have diversified into various schools of thought. These schools span the political spectrum from a Marxist view of the world to an Anarchist perspective. Though two of the arguably most prominent schools of thought would be the Realist and the Liberalist. The realist point of view takes on a frank examination of the world, believing that countries act in their own self interest and that power is often the most sought after end. On the contrary. the Liberalist school of thought holds a more...

Words: 1598 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Postive Accounting Theory

...Introduction This paper examines the development of positive accounting theory (PAT) and compares it with three standard accounts of science. There is some confusion about what PAT is. If the definition of accounting theory (i.e., accounting theory seeks to explain and predict accounting and auditing practice) given in Watts and Zimmerman’s 1986 book is taken to mean PAT, studies of accounting choices and auditing practices constitute PAT. At the same time, they also seek to explain the economics-based empirical literature in accounting and they describe, in addition to accounting choice studies, capital market-based accounting research. They point out that Ball and Brown (1968) initially popularized positive research in accounting, suggesting that PAT includes both capital market-based accounting research and research in accounting choices. This paper takes PAT to include both research programs. This usage is consistent with Watts and Zimmerman’s (1986) assertion that when they use the term “positive” to differentiate it from “prescriptive” theory. Positive Accounting Theory and Science by M. Humayun Kabir Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand Abstract This paper examines the development of positive accounting theory (PAT) and compares it with three standard accounts of science: Popper (1959), Kuhn (1996), and Lakatos (1970). PAT has been one of the most influential accounting research programs...

Words: 6941 - Pages: 28