Master suppression techniques

The Master suppression techniques is a framework articulated in 1945 by the Norwegian psychologist and philosopher Ingjald Nissen. These techniques identified by Nissen are ways to indirectly suppress and humiliate opponents. In the late 1970s the framework was popularized by Norwegian social psychologist Berit Ås, who reduced Nissen's original nine means to five. Master suppression techniques are defined as strategies of social manipulation by which a dominant group maintains such a position in a (established or unexposed) hierarchy. They are very prominent in Scandinavian scholarly and public debate, where the expression is also used to refer to types of social manipulation not part of Ås's framework. Master suppression techniques are sometimes called domination techniques.

The five master suppression techniques according to Ås

Making invisible

To silence or otherwise marginalize persons in opposition by ignoring them.

Examples:

• Another speaker takes something you have said as if it was an idea of their own, or starts speaking despite it being your turn.
• As it is your turn to speak, the other attendees start to talk to each other, browse through their papers, etc.

Ridicule

See also: Appeal to ridicule

In a manipulative way to portray the arguments of, or their opponents themselves, in a ridiculing fashion.

Example:

• Another speaker laughs at your accent and compares you to a character in a humorous TV show (although you had something important to say).
• When making an accusation of wrongdoing against someone, you are being told that you look cute when you're angry.

Withhold information

To exclude a person from the decision making process, or knowingly not forwarding information so as to make the person less able to make an informed choice.

Examples:

• Your colleagues have a meeting that concerns you, without inviting you.
• Decisions are made not in a conference where everyone is present, but at a dinner party later in the evening, where only some attendants have been invited.

Double bind

See also: Double bind

To punish or otherwise belittle the actions of a person, regardless of how they act.

Examples:

• When you do your work tasks thoroughly, you receive complaints for being too slow. When you do them efficiently, you're critiqued for being sloppy.

Heap blame/put to shame

To embarrass someone, or to insinuate that they are themselves to blame for their position.

Example:

• You inform your manager that you are being slandered, but are told it is your fault since you dress provocatively.

Later additions by Ås

Berit Ås has since added two supplementary master suppression techniques.

Objectifying

See also: Objectification

To discuss the appearance of one or several persons in a situation where it is irrelevant.

Force/threat of force

To threaten with or use one's physical strength towards one or several persons.

Example:

• "One more word from you and I'll smash your face!"

Countermeasures against master suppression techniques

A group of PhD students at Stockholm's University has formulated five Counter strategies:

• Take place
• Questioning
• The cards on the table
• Break the pattern
• Intellectualise

They have also formulated five Confirmation techniques:

• Visualizing
• Adherence
• Inform
• Double reward
• Confirm reasonable standards

The Center for Gender Equality in Norway has also published an article about how to combat this phenomenon.

External links

• Berit Ås: Master Suppression Techniques