Foucault and Normalization

Term Paper # 101202

Philosophy
Sociology

A discussion of Michel Foucault's concept of the process of normalization in social organization and regulation.

1,236 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the belief of Michel Foucault that social organization and regulation occurs most effectively through practices of normalization. It discusses the structures and strategies which facilitate social construction, regulation and especially the processes of normalization. The paper also provides examples from whiteness, heterosexuality and the culture of therapy in order to illustrate how normalization functions for the ends of social organization and regulation.

From the Paper:

"Numerous mechanisms are at work in normalization through which social organization and regulation can be effected. The trend which can be observed repeatedly, however, that the most efficient and successful type of control is implemented when certain ideas and practices are subjected to normalization in the society. Governments regularly operate in this way, and psychiatry with its culture of therapy can produce ideas such as abnormality and then maintain an industry based on achieving normality. The construction of normality is associated with other constructions such as heterosexuality, whiteness, and sanity experts, and all of the constructions are linked with power. Being normal is synonymous with control and being linked to control, which creates a secure position when compared to the non-white, homosexual, neurotic or insane."

Sample of Sources Used:

Adams, L. A. (2002). Constructing normal citizens, In R. Adamoski, et al. (eds.), Contesting Canadian citizenship: Historical readings. Broadview Press, 273-292.
Barss, P. (2002). Has the world gone mad? This Magazine, 35 (4), 18-22.
Brock, D. (2003). Making normal: Social regulation in Canada. Nelson Thomson Learning.
Burr, V. (1995). An Introduction to Social Constructionism. Routledge.
Dyer, R. (2000). The matter of whiteness, In L. Back & J. Solomos (eds.), Theories of race and racism: A reader. Routledge, 539-547.