TITLE: COLLABORATIVE: LEARNING COMMUNITY: HUMAN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH PAPER

Muted Group Theory

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Date: June, 22, 2009

Abstract Littlejohn (1999) explains that Edwin Ardener one of the founder of muted group theory made a conclusion that men are favored by our language, because its men who formulated the meaning of the words used, women are viewed as being muted. Thats the how the phrase muted group theory was formulated. This paper will briefly discuss this important theory.

Introduction: how muted theory was developed The foundation of muted group theory originates from two cultural anthropologists way back in 1970s. Through their observation of women, they came up with an observation that many other cultural anthropologist were merely talking to the heads of the cultures, who were mainly men. The anthropologists were then using the available information to represent culture as intact, without representing the viewpoints of women, children as well as other groups; this made these groups voiceless through the cultural hierarchy. It forced Edwin Ardener to write, Those trained in ethnography evidently have a bias towards the kinds of model that men are ready to provide rather than towards any that women might provide, (P, 11). He added that supposing men seemed to be articulate in comparison to women, it is a mater of like talking to like. Explaining the muted group theory and its impact Cheris Kramarae together with her associates further formulated muted group theory in regard to communication, particularly from a feminist viewpoint. In her book titled Women and Men Speaking; Frameworks for Analysis (1981), Cheris Kramarae outlined three key assumptions in elation to feminist muted theory. Women view the world in a different manner from men due to the different experience that women and women go through, and different activities entrenched in their division of labor. Since men are the ones who are the dominant group within the society, their viewpoint is as well dominant. The perceptions of women and their systems of perceiving are always viewed as less knowledgeable.

For women to as well become participating members within the society, they have to change their perceptions and approaches of observation into expressions of the dominant group.

According to Littlejohn (1999) muted group theory as well argues that the dominant group in any culture, mostly men, controls different paths of expression, this includes aspects such as media and the government and thus also controls the manner the laws and regulations are formulated and written. In addition, they as well control the words used to explain the culture, implying things like books and dictionaries. Since the dominant group is the one controlling these paths, their manner of expression will be preferred. Taking the United States as an example, the proof that white Americans men dominate American culture entails: Extensive use of sports images The domination of rationality as well as absence of emotions in public talk The high number of belittling words to portray women, compared to those used to portray men What problem or phenomenon was it designed to explain or solve? In his article called Muted group theory: Summary, Scott Chadwik explains that: Muted group theory starts with the argument that, language is culture based, and since men have got a lot of authority compared to women, it follows that men have a more say when it comes to language, leading to language that is male-biased. Men are the ones who formulate words and their meaning, permitting their views and ideas. But women are not incorporated in formulation of this meaning of words and their do not have a way of

expressing their unique feelings. This leaves them (women) as a muted group (Chadwick, 2003). Examples Due to the fact that women are in the muted group they have to find other ways for communication, thus they use, diaries, letters, journal, gossip, songs, art, poems and, many more ways. Another impact of women as muted group is that, women are forced to convert what they want to say in terms of male (Littlejohn, 1999). Supposing female and male meaning of words disagrees, the one that wins is normally the masculine meaning. Real life experience A good real life experience of muted group theory can be viewed in some of problems that face husbands and wives when they attempt communicating to each. As Kramarae (1981) explains, women are used to communicating using back channels, however men, since they formulated the language being used, they communicate directly. Men have a difficult time understanding what their wives are attempting to communicate. Indeed, a lot of marriages break due to communication breakdowns between the husband and the wife. Possible remedies As Chadwick, 2003, the problems create by muted theory are not biological based but rather cultural based and thus can be corrected by: 1. Men surrendering some of the power they wield over the language 2. Women should understand well the faint symbols of linguistic domination, while men have to study the way women communicate.

3. There should be continuous negations when the two men and women are communicating to create a better understanding between these two groups. Conclusion Muted group theory played important role in bring to core the suppression of women when it comes to communication. However, presently a lot have changed and todays women have achieved a lot and are just equal to men. Thus, they are speaking more and their voices are being heard.

Reference: Ardener, E (1975): Belief and the problem of women: - Ardener, Shirley (Ed.), Perceiving women (1-13); London: Malaby Press

Chadwick, S (2003): Muted Group Theory: Summary: Retrieved June, 21, 2009, From Iowa State University Communication Department site: http://chadwick.jlmc.iastate.edu/theory/mutedgrp.htmlhttp://chadwick.jlmc.iastate.e du/theory/mutedgrp.html

Kramarae, C (1981): Women and men speaking: - Frameworks for analysis; Rowley, MA: Newbury House

Littlejohn, S (1999): Theories of Human Communication:-Albuquerque; Wadsworth.