Muted group theory

There are minorities in a society. By that i mean, in a society, there a certain group of people which are silenced as they have have no much power to stand up and speak up. Cheris Kramarae 1981, further developed Muted Group theory from her feminist standpoint on how women are somewhat muted and are dominated by male's perception. Kramarae laid out 3 assumptions: 


1) "Women perceive the world differently from men because of women’s and men’s different experience and activities rooted in the division of labor"


2) Male are the dominant group in society which will make female's point of view to be lest competent.


3) To be a part of the society and to dominate, female must act similar to those of the dominant groups, in terms of their perception towards thing.


Miller (2005) explains that muted group theory also posits that the dominant group in a culture (generally males) controls the various avenues of expression. 


This theory does not only revolve on cross-gender situations. Muting of a certain group can be applied and seen to many cultural groups. Orbe (1995) stated that research performed by the dominant white European culture has created a view of African-American communication, how they are muted when it comes to being dominated by the white European society.


Example below:
(From the The Help, 2011 drama film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's novel of the same name, adapted for the screen and directed by Tate Taylor)

The movie trailer above briefly show how at that time, Black women are dominated by White American women. It shows how this Black women are a muted group having to be overshadowed by all the White women. In the movie, Black women's perception towards things are greatly rejected by the White society. This shows how the different cultures are and how one is muted by the other, showing how they (White women) dominates in the society.


In conclusion, this theory helps us understand why there are different group domination in a society, and how the other is muted and are less competent. It also identifies how different individuals gain their voice in the different context, base on where their society is.


References:


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


Miller, K. (2005). Communication theories: Perspectives, processes, and contexts. New York: McGraw-Hill.


Orbe, M.P. (1995). African American communication research: Toward a deeper understanding of interethnic communication. Western Journal of Communication, 59, 61-78.