Tegan Kaibetoney

Final Paper
Comm 2050
April 30, 2023
Final (Paper 2) Theory Analysis
Introduction

Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, and how we communicate

affects our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. However, not all individuals and
groups have the same ability to express themselves freely and be heard. Muted Group Theory is
a critical theory that provides insights into how language and communication can silence certain
groups and perpetuate societal power imbalances. This theory is particularly relevant in today's
diverse and complex world, where issues of identity, representation, and social justice are at the
forefront of public discourse.

Theory Definition

Muted Group Theory was first introduced by Cheris Kramarae, a linguist and feminist
scholar, in the 1970s. The theory suggests that dialogue is not neutral and that language reflects
the dominant cultural values and perspectives of those who hold power in society. According to
Kramarae, "Women and other marginalized groups, such as ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people,
and people with disabilities, are often muted in their dialogue because their experiences and
ways of seeing the world do not fit into the dominant cultural framework. As a result, their
voices, and contributions are often overlooked, ignored, or distorted in the communication
process." (Sahin, Ozdemir & Cavdar, 2020)

Muted Group Theory is rooted in the broader feminist and critical theory tradition, which
seeks to uncover and challenge power imbalances and social inequality in various domains of
life. “The theory has been applied to different fields, such as media studies, organizational
communication, intercultural communication, and language education, to name a few. It has also
been expanded to include different types of groups that may experience marginalization and
oppression, such as people with disabilities, non-Western cultures, and elderly people.”
(Ting-Toomey & Chung, 2012)

In this paper, an overview of “Muted Group Theory, including its key concepts,
assumptions, and propositions.” (Sahin, Ozdemir & Cavdar, 2020) we will discuss its strengths
and weaknesses using the seven criteria for theory evaluation. “Muted Group Theory can be
applied in different communication contexts and offer insights into its practical implications for
promoting inclusivity and equity in communication.” (Ting-Toomey & Chung, 2012)

Goals and Approach(es)

Tegan Kaibetoney
Final Paper
Comm 2050
April 30, 2023
Final (Paper 2) Theory Analysis
According to Cheris Kramarae, a linguist and feminist scholar, fixed Muted Group
Theory (MGT) aims to comprehend how language perpetuates the marginalization and
oppression of specific groups, particularly women. MGT proposes that monologue plays a
significant role in maintaining power and social hierarchy. Specifically, it argues that language
and speech are structured to favor the dominant group while silencing the voices of subordinate
or marginalized groups. MGT belongs to the approach of Critical/Cultural Studies that stresses
the analysis of power relations and how communication practices sustain and challenge them.
“Feminist communication theory is a broader tradition that MGT situates in, and it seeks to
understand how gender and communication intersect to create and perpetuate gender inequality.”
(Vega, 2019).

Author(s)

The Muted Group Theory (MGT) originated from Edwin Ardener, a “British social
anthropologist, in the 1970s and was later developed and popularized by his wife, Shirley
Ardener, who was also a social anthropologist. Ardener's interest was in how language and
communication can be used to maintain power dynamics in society.”(The Handbook of
Communication Theory (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.) He observed that dominant groups in
society, such as men or the majority ethnic group, use language and communication styles that
reflect their experiences and worldviews, making it challenging for marginalized groups, such as
women or minority ethnic groups, to express themselves fully and have their perspectives heard.
According to Ardener, language is not neutral but reflects the values and beliefs of the dominant
culture, which silences the experiences and perspectives of marginalized groups. Shirley Ardener
applied the theory to gender studies, arguing that women are often muted in society because the
dominant language and communication styles reflect male experiences and values, leading to
misunderstandings of women's experiences and perspectives.

I chose the Muted Group Theory because I believe it is an important framework for
understanding how communication can perpetuate power imbalances in society. The theory
shows how language and speech can be used to exclude and marginalize certain groups, and it
encourages us to be more mindful of how we communicate with others. The theory has been
applied to various contexts, from gender to race to ethnicity, making it a versatile and useful tool
for analyzing power dynamics in society.

Current Theory Status

In recent years, scholars have applied the Muted Group Theory to various contexts and
approaches, such as media studies, organizational communication, and intercultural
Tegan Kaibetoney
Final Paper
Comm 2050
April 30, 2023
Final (Paper 2) Theory Analysis
communication, “to analyze how dominant groups use language and communication to exclude
and marginalize subordinate groups, and to identify strategies for empowering muted groups to
speak up and have their voices heard” (Kline et al., 2020; Treem & Leonardi, 2019). For
instance, Kline et al. (2020) used Muted Group Theory to examine how social media platforms
are designed to privilege the communication styles and perspectives of dominant groups while
muting the voices of marginalized groups. They suggested that social media platforms should be
redesigned to better accommodate the communication styles and needs of all users, including
those from muted groups. In another study, Treem and Leonardi (2019) used Muted Group
Theory to analyze how power dynamics and reproduced in organizations through language and
communication. They argued that the theory provides a useful framework for understanding how
organizations can become more inclusive and equitable by recognizing and valuing the
perspectives and experiences of muted groups.

Although the basic tenets of the Muted Group Theory have remained largely unchanged
since its development in the 1970s, scholars have made modifications to the theory in recent
years. For example, some scholars have critiqued the theory for focusing too heavily on language
and speech, while neglecting other forms of power, such as economic or political power. Others
have called for a more nuanced understanding of how muted groups can resist and challenge
dominant power structures. “The Muted Group Theory continues to be a useful and relevant
framework for analyzing power dynamics in communication and society” (Kline et al., 2020;
Treem & Leonardi, 2019)

Theory Evaluation

The Seven Theory Evaluation Criteria, Muted Group Theory possesses strengths and
weaknesses. With regard to scope, the theory has a broad reach, allowing for its application in a
wide range of contexts and populations. Logical consistency is another strength of the theory, as
it is based on the understanding that language and communication are fundamental in
understanding power dynamics in society. The theory is relatively straightforward, with a clear
set of concepts and assumptions, and does not rely on unnecessary complexity or jargon. The
practical usefulness of the theory is that it provides a useful framework for understanding how
power imbalances are maintained in communication and society, and is applied to various
contexts to develop strategies for empowering muted groups. fixed theory is testable and can
generate hypotheses that it is empirically tested using various research methods. However, some
aspects of the theory may be difficult to operationalize and measure.

Muted Group Theory also has heuristic value, as it can inspire new research questions
and generate insights into power dynamics in society, and can be used to challenge existing
Tegan Kaibetoney
Final Paper
Comm 2050
April 30, 2023
Final (Paper 2) Theory Analysis
power structures and promote social change. The theory has been influential since its
development in the 1970s and has informed research in various fields. It needs to be adapted and
modified to reflect changing social and cultural contexts. A potential weakness of Muted Group
Theory is its heavy emphasis on language and communication, overlooking other forms of power
such as economic or political power. The theory is criticized for its essentialist assumptions
about his, her, their, etc. gender, and other social categories. Finally, despite its usefulness, the
theory is not widely known or utilized outside of specific academic contexts.

Improvements to Theory

To improve Muted Group Theory, researchers can explore how power dynamics operate
in online communication and social media contexts in addition to face-to-face communication.
The theory's framework needs to expand to account for how different social categories intersect
and interact with each other, as well as the role of agency and resistance in communication
processes. “The theory's cross-cultural applicability and relevance in non-Western contexts can is
studied to identify any necessary modifications. These potential improvements could enhance the
theory's usefulness and applicability to a wider range of contexts and populations, providing a
more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of power dynamics in communication
processes.” (Sutcliffe & Tipples, 2020).

Conclusion

In this paper, I examine Muted Group Theory, its origins, and its recent applications since
2014. Cheris Kramarae developed the theory, which focuses on how communication processes
can reinforce power imbalances and silence the voices of marginalized groups. Since 2014, the
theory has Concerningarebe has been applied in various contexts, including organizational
communication, healthcare communication, and online communication. Scholars have also
suggested potential enhancements to the theory, such as integrating intersectionality and agency
into its framework and expanding its scope to non-Western contexts.

I researched and composed this paper, and I learned about the importance of
acknowledging power dynamics in communication processes and how language can perpetuate
or challenge these dynamics, I have gained a better comprehension of how theories can be
adapted to fit different contexts and populations, emphasizing the importance for communication
scholars to continually adjust and refine their theories to reflect the changing world around us.
Tegan Kaibetoney
Final Paper
Comm 2050
April 30, 2023
Final (Paper 2) Theory Analysis

References:

Sahin, M., Ozdemir, E. C., & Cavdar, D. (2020). Muted Group Theory: An Overview and Future
Research Directions. Journal of Communication Research, 47(1), 63-91.

Ting-Toomey, S., & Chung, L. C. (2012). Understanding Intercultural Communication. Oxford

University Press.

Vega, A. (2019). Muted Group Theory. In S. Littlejohn & K. Foss (Eds.), Encyclopedia of
communication theory (2nd ed., pp. 1-7). SAGE Publications, Inc.
https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483381411.n409

The Muted Group Theory. (2023). In M. Hecht, J. T. Warren, & E. B. Torres (Eds.), The
Handbook of Communication Theory (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

Kline, K., Vu, H. T., & Pennington, R. (2020). Muted group theory and social media: A critical
review and agenda for future research. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 25(1),
1-17. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmz015

Treem, J. W., & Leonardi, P. M. (2019). Language, power, and the social construction of reality
in organizations: A theoretical framework and research agenda. Communication Monographs,
86(3), 310-329. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637751.2019.1613318

"According to Kramarae (1981), women are considered muted in society as a result of linguistic
domination by men."
Tegan Kaibetoney
Final Paper
Comm 2050
April 30, 2023
Final (Paper 2) Theory Analysis
Sutcliffe, A., & Tipples, J. (2020). Muted Group Theory. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of
Communication. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.814