ARDEN
UNIVERSITY
Module: Medicalisation of the Self
Lesson: Foucauldian Analysis of Surveillance and Control
© 2021 Arden University Ltd. All rights reserved.
Arden University Limited reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in these learning materials. No
part of any learning materials may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means,
including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of
Arden University Limited.
,Foucauldian Analysis of Surveillance and Control
now make a note
Before you begin to learn about Foucault's conceptualisations of the terms power, discipine
and surveillance, make a note of what these terms mean to you on a piece of paper. Use one
coloured pen for this activity.
Introduction
So far in this module we have examined the term 'medicalisation', and Foucautfs
conceptualisation of the terms 'technologies of domination' and 'technologies of the self,
demonstrating how we have shifted from a society wherein domination of the body is overt, to
a society wherein domination of the body Is covert and Is directed by the indMdual themsetf.
We also employed some of Foucault's key works such as Madness end Ciwflisetion and The
Birth of the Clinic to help signify the changes in psychiatric classification and treatment of
those wtth a mental health disorder, which links to the topic being examined in this lesson.
In the second lesson, we examined why this shift occurred, notably due to the political
affiliation with neoliberalism, and the contemporary belief that a good citizen is one who
analyses risk and ensures that they uphold a secure lifestyle, and possesses positive
wellbeing. Individuals are now expected to employ 'technologies of the self as a matter of
responsibility to the global economy, and if they fail to do this, they could be subject to
punishment (such as exclusion and stigmatisation).
In conjunction wtth this, this lesson will explore four more of Foucault's texts,
including DiscOline end Punish, Blopolitts, Abnonnaitfy and Society must be defended to
outline the historical trajectory of domination and surveillance. Now that you understand
some of the key terms of Imedicallsation' and the political background against which this was
devised (neoliberalism), you should by the end of this lesson be able to comprehend the ways
in which punishments for deviants have developed over time, and recognise how bodies have
become docile objects of surveillance according to a socially construcbad conceptualisation
of abnormality.
For an overview of the key themes within these Foucauldian texts, please read the following:
Armstrong, D., 1997. Foucault and the sociology of health and illness: A prismatic reading.
In: Peterson, ft, and Bunton, Ft, eds. 1997. Foucault Health and Medicine. London: Routledge,
15-31.
Aims of the lesson
Thus, In summary, the alms of this lesson are for you to:
1. Understand Foucault's main scholarly works, notably Discipline and Punish, Biopolitir—s,
0 2021 Arden University Ltd AI right reserved
, Abnormality and Society must be defended.
2. Analyse the historical development of punishments for deviants (especially in
relation to the mentally III).
3. Recognise how bodies have become docile objects of surveillance according to a
socially constructed conceptualisation of abnormality.
rc key concept
Discipline and Punish
One of Foucaults most famous texts Is called Discipline end Punish, a book written In the
1970s. This book comprehensively Outlines the ways in which forms of discipline and types
of Famishment have developed since the seventeenth century. Due to space and time Antic-
bens, we cannot explore every point that he made within this lesson, but we can examine
some of the central notions. One of the most central ideas of Foucault's thinking was that of
docility - the belief that all people have become docile objects under the control of others.
Foucault summarised a docile body as being 'a body... that may be subjected, used,
transformed and Improved' (Foucault, 1979, p. 136).
To exemplify this point, Foucault draws attention to a soldier, whose every movement Is
governed by an external power, notably his commander. A soldier Is taught to march In
line with other soldiers, his (or her) posture is expected to be straight, they must 'hold their
heads high and erect... stand upright, without bending the back... slick out the belly, throw out
the chest and throw back the shoulders' (Foucault, 1979, p. 135). The body of a solider
represents a body that Is an 'object and target of power' because Its movements, actions and
even thoughts are co-Mei-stab! regimented (Foucault, 1979, p. 136). The soldier's body is
manipulated to such an extent it no longer belongs to himself (or herself); it has become a
'puppet which others (those with more power) control (Foucault, 1979, p. 136). The solider has
been told how to behave according to pre-determined rules, and specific actions have
become habit; they act as If these actions were their own when In fact they are determined by
an outsider.
0 2021 Arden Unlvectly Ltd. AI right reserved
UNIVERSITY
Module: Medicalisation of the Self
Lesson: Foucauldian Analysis of Surveillance and Control
© 2021 Arden University Ltd. All rights reserved.
Arden University Limited reserves all rights of copyright and all other intellectual property rights in these learning materials. No
part of any learning materials may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means,
including without limitation electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of
Arden University Limited.
,Foucauldian Analysis of Surveillance and Control
now make a note
Before you begin to learn about Foucault's conceptualisations of the terms power, discipine
and surveillance, make a note of what these terms mean to you on a piece of paper. Use one
coloured pen for this activity.
Introduction
So far in this module we have examined the term 'medicalisation', and Foucautfs
conceptualisation of the terms 'technologies of domination' and 'technologies of the self,
demonstrating how we have shifted from a society wherein domination of the body is overt, to
a society wherein domination of the body Is covert and Is directed by the indMdual themsetf.
We also employed some of Foucault's key works such as Madness end Ciwflisetion and The
Birth of the Clinic to help signify the changes in psychiatric classification and treatment of
those wtth a mental health disorder, which links to the topic being examined in this lesson.
In the second lesson, we examined why this shift occurred, notably due to the political
affiliation with neoliberalism, and the contemporary belief that a good citizen is one who
analyses risk and ensures that they uphold a secure lifestyle, and possesses positive
wellbeing. Individuals are now expected to employ 'technologies of the self as a matter of
responsibility to the global economy, and if they fail to do this, they could be subject to
punishment (such as exclusion and stigmatisation).
In conjunction wtth this, this lesson will explore four more of Foucault's texts,
including DiscOline end Punish, Blopolitts, Abnonnaitfy and Society must be defended to
outline the historical trajectory of domination and surveillance. Now that you understand
some of the key terms of Imedicallsation' and the political background against which this was
devised (neoliberalism), you should by the end of this lesson be able to comprehend the ways
in which punishments for deviants have developed over time, and recognise how bodies have
become docile objects of surveillance according to a socially construcbad conceptualisation
of abnormality.
For an overview of the key themes within these Foucauldian texts, please read the following:
Armstrong, D., 1997. Foucault and the sociology of health and illness: A prismatic reading.
In: Peterson, ft, and Bunton, Ft, eds. 1997. Foucault Health and Medicine. London: Routledge,
15-31.
Aims of the lesson
Thus, In summary, the alms of this lesson are for you to:
1. Understand Foucault's main scholarly works, notably Discipline and Punish, Biopolitir—s,
0 2021 Arden University Ltd AI right reserved
, Abnormality and Society must be defended.
2. Analyse the historical development of punishments for deviants (especially in
relation to the mentally III).
3. Recognise how bodies have become docile objects of surveillance according to a
socially constructed conceptualisation of abnormality.
rc key concept
Discipline and Punish
One of Foucaults most famous texts Is called Discipline end Punish, a book written In the
1970s. This book comprehensively Outlines the ways in which forms of discipline and types
of Famishment have developed since the seventeenth century. Due to space and time Antic-
bens, we cannot explore every point that he made within this lesson, but we can examine
some of the central notions. One of the most central ideas of Foucault's thinking was that of
docility - the belief that all people have become docile objects under the control of others.
Foucault summarised a docile body as being 'a body... that may be subjected, used,
transformed and Improved' (Foucault, 1979, p. 136).
To exemplify this point, Foucault draws attention to a soldier, whose every movement Is
governed by an external power, notably his commander. A soldier Is taught to march In
line with other soldiers, his (or her) posture is expected to be straight, they must 'hold their
heads high and erect... stand upright, without bending the back... slick out the belly, throw out
the chest and throw back the shoulders' (Foucault, 1979, p. 135). The body of a solider
represents a body that Is an 'object and target of power' because Its movements, actions and
even thoughts are co-Mei-stab! regimented (Foucault, 1979, p. 136). The soldier's body is
manipulated to such an extent it no longer belongs to himself (or herself); it has become a
'puppet which others (those with more power) control (Foucault, 1979, p. 136). The solider has
been told how to behave according to pre-determined rules, and specific actions have
become habit; they act as If these actions were their own when In fact they are determined by
an outsider.
0 2021 Arden Unlvectly Ltd. AI right reserved
