Theory 006: Muted Group

Muted group theory discusses the relationship between the dominant group (majority) and the subordinate group (minority). The minority is usually left with no other choice but to use the majority-influenced language in order to express themselves, leading to distortion of information since the minority’s ideas are not expressed properly. This leads further to the mutedness of the minority. Muted group theory has three assumptions:

1) The world is perceived by men and women differently since they have different experiences. These experiences result to differences on how men and women perform their respective tasks in society.

2) The ideas of men are dominant, which causes women to have a difficult time articulating their ideas.

3) Women are forced to convert their ideas in order to be heard.

The MGT was created by Edwin Ardener and Shirley Ardener. This was further developed by Cheris Kramarae from her feminist standpoint.

Examples of the muted group theory can be seen in different situations. Usually, it is seen between male and female. There are many stereotypes which cause women to be muted such us ‘you hit like a girl’ or ‘you should do girly things like cooking’. There are also stereotypes for men such as ‘man up’. Sadly, women are more muted than men.  Aside from gender, muted group theory can be seen in culture or race. Through racism, the minority (a.k.a. the POCs or People of Color) are muted by the majority (a.k.a. white people). Muted group theory is also seen in religion, where Muslims are muted because of people’s hast generalization that Muslims are directly related to terrorism.

Muted group theory can also be seen in politics. The powerful and influential figures tend to mute the ones who are less popular despite the fact that the latter might actually be making more sense or is less biased than the former. Figures who belong to well-known parties overshadow the independent candidates (unless the independent candidates are actually influential and/or well-known).  

To be honest, there are a lot who are muted. If you gather them altogether, those people who are referred to as the ‘minority’ are actually enough to outnumber the so-called ‘majority’. It’s just that the people who belong to the ‘majority’ have power and influence over the status quo. That’s how they manage to make the ‘minority’ agree with them or make them express themselves according to [the majority’s] terms.

Muted group theory can be used in order for us to have a better understanding of the marginalized. We can learn about the things which cause them to be muted and how we can help them to have the voice to express themselves again without the restrictions of the majority.