Download Addie Cropper-Standpoint Theory

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Standpoint Theory
Addie C. Cropper
Communication Theory- COMM 245
1 March 2014
REGENT UNIVERSITY
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Introduction
Over the eight weeks of this course, the students involved have had the
opportunity to learn all kinds of different types of communication theories that not
only will be useful within communication, but also useful in the sense of giving us a
better understanding of why we as humans do some of the things that we do.
Communication theory is not only a necessity in communication, but also in life.
Throughout the course, the theory that caught my eye was what I found to be most
relatable. This theory for me was the standpoint theory, created by Sandra Harding,
and Julia T. Wood.
Explanation of the theory
The standpoint theory is a theory that I believe many others as well as myself
have been able to relate to at some point in time in their life. The term standpoint
can be defined as “A place from which to critically view the world around us”
(Griffin 2012). It can also be recognized as, “ones subject position in society”
(Grenas 2011). According to Harding and Wood, the most common synonyms for
this theory—viewpoint, perspective, outlook, and position—are not connected
accidentally (Griffin 2012). Because of the way human beings look at things,
physical, or not, these terms are connected to our standpoint. Dorothy Smith,
sociologists as well as feminists argues that, “the only way we can see the world
around us is through one lens and that is our standpoint” (Grenas 2011). That lens
which we see things—our own eyes—are also how we interpret different events
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that are taking place throughout the course of our lives. So therefore, human beings
not only make different kinds of judgments, either appearance wise, or not, based
off what they see through that “lens” or what we now know as their standpoint.
A person’s standpoint can affect that person in many more ways than what
we may believe. Not only can it alter the way they think about different social
situations, and people, it can also negatively affect our judgment as human beings.
Standpoint can differ depending on the type of person. Everyone has and is entitled
to different opinions, but some of those opinions and viewpoints can often be
explained by a certain situation that a person is placed in on a regular basis. For
example, most women who would declare themselves as feminists would all
probably have a very similar argument when it comes to topics like women’s rights,
etc. The reasoning behind this is because they are all involved in a group with
similar beliefs and viewpoints, on a single topic. Feminism is just one major focus
when it comes to the standpoint theory. Different theorists have suggested, “ we can
use the inequalities of gender, race, class, and sexual orientation to observe how
different locations within the social hierarchy tend to generate distinctive accounts
of nature and social relationships” (Griffin 2012).
Real-Life Example of the Standpoint Theory
When I first began to understand the significance and meaning of Harding
and Wood’s, standpoint theory, there were actually a number of different situations
and examples that came to mind. A very simple example of this theory or way of
understanding this theory would be one provided by the creators. Harding suggests
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imagining looking into a pond and seeing a stick that appears to be bent. She then
asks us the question, “but is it really bent?” From different angles, and locations
around the pond, the stick may or may not seem bent anymore. The light reflecting
on the pond allows us to look at it in different ways depending on the stance we
take, just like different people have different ways of looking at an understanding
different things, hence the standpoint theory (Griffin 2012).
Another way to look at the standpoint theory would be through the eyes of
let’s say a high school girl. This gives kind of a different perspective on the theory,
but all in all, has the same affect. In high school, for most of us, there were many
different groups of people, also known as cliques. The cliques had all kinds of
different titles from the geeks, the jocks, the preps, the goths, etc. Let’s say this
particular high school girl belongs to the prep group. The prep group is full of
middle to upper class girls and guys, and pretty much the only other group they
communicate with would be the jocks. In high school, this clique system can be
closely compared to what is known as different classes within a real society.
In ranking compared to the rest of the clique groups, the preps and the jocks
are at what we would call the top of the food chain, while the other groups such as
the geeks and goths are much lower on the list, therefore making the jocks and
preps the “cool” kids. Much like in the adult world of lower, middle and upper class,
the preps and jocks are considered middle and upper class of the school giving them
better situations than the “lower-class.”
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Application to Theory
Because the two cliques, the jocks and preps could be considered upper class
in comparison to the other two lower-class groups, the geeks and goths, the upper
class has all developed a similar standpoint that looks down on the other two
cliques. If the girl in high school had instead chosen to be a part of the geeks, rather
than the preps, her standpoint would change and develop, because of her
surroundings. The geeks perhaps might have a developed belief or opinion about
those who do not like them, and her view might change because of their influence.
You know what they say, “birds of a feather, flock together.
Standpoint Theory Conclusion
Based off of the information provided by the creators of the theory, Harding,
and Wood, as well as author Em Griffin, I have gained a much better understanding
of what it means to have a specific standpoint. Whether that be a standpoint on
something very specific, or a standpoint on life itself, standpoints are important in
understanding people. All people are capable of making judgments about others as
well as about certain situations and those people do it. Not only do they do it, but the
standpoint theory just explains that as humans we are supposed to make these
judgments as well as have our own beliefs, opinions and perspectives on things. The
main purpose of the theory is to give understandings about why and how we do
those things, and how things such as group activities and our surrounding have a
huge influence on them.
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Works Cited
Grenas. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://soctheory.iheartsociology.com/2011/11/30/standpoint-theory/
Griffin, E. (2012). A First Look at Communnication Theory. (8 ed.). New York, New
York: McGraw-Hill.