YEAR 2 BEGINS - Lecture notes

PANOPTICISM - Surveillance and Society.

Panopticism is a principle introduced by Michel Foucault (1926-1984) in his books 'Madness and Civilisation' and 'Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison.'

In the late 1600's the concept of being 'normal' seemed to take a turning point. All those seen as being socially unacceptable (insane, criminals, women who fall pregnant before marriage) were locked away. Instead of dealing with the problem in hand peopl

e would rather hide it away as though they never existed.

This was called the great confinement.

After this came 'Houses of Correction' to curb unemployment and illness. It was a place where they could repress deviance. Those who were put in these houses were forced to work.

Another way of reforming those who deterred from the norm was the 'Asylum' This was to separate the 'normal' from the 'un-normal' and insane. Here instead of being forced to do anything they were treated more like children. When they did something well they were praised and when they went against the rules they were punished.

FOUCAULT realised and explained in his books a new type of discipline. One which required less effort from the one in power and mainly to do with the psychology of the subject. PANOPTICISM emerged from and can be summarisedatten best in the form of an architectural creation by Jeremy Bentham 1791. A Panoptic prison (image below) Consisted of a main viewing tower which would be in the centre of the structure which is then surrounded by columns and rows of cells. Each person would be isolated in their own cell and would face the viewing tower directly. Compared to previous prisons/cells this forced in mates to feel as though they were constantly being watched. They would never be able to move away from the watchful eye of the attendants.

This would have an unexpected psychological effect on the inmat

es. They would begin to self regulate (constantly aware that someone was watching so changed how they act to suit the person watching and to avoid punishment) this is like a concept of reform without physical force from the power source.