The master suppression techniques is a framework articulated in 1945 by the Norwegianpsychologist and philosopherIngjald 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 psychologistBerit Ås, who reduced Nissen's original nine means to five, and claimed this was a technique mostly used in the workplace by men against women. Master suppression techniques are defined as strategies of social manipulation by which a dominant group maintains such a position in a 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
To silence or otherwise marginalize people in opposition by ignoring them. Examples:
Another speaker takes something you have said as if it were their idea, 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
In a manipulative way to portray the arguments of, or their opponents themselves, in a ridiculing fashion. Example
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
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
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!"
Later additions by Camilla Ländin
Camilla Ländin, a swedish author, has after extensive research added even more supplementary master suppression techniques.
