Sociology SOCY Practice Test 2025 - Free SOCY Practice Questions and Study Guide

Michel Foucault associates modern forms of surveillance with disciplinary power, which is a central concept in his analysis of social control mechanisms. Disciplinary power refers to the ways in which power operates through subtle and pervasive surveillance techniques rather than through overt coercion. Foucault argued that in modern societies, institutions such as schools, prisons, and hospitals employ surveillance to monitor and regulate behavior. This kind of power shapes individuals' conduct and establishes norms, thereby instilling self-discipline as people learn to modify their behavior based on the possibility of being observed.

The idea of disciplinary power contrasts sharply with other forms of power, such as regulatory power, which often pertains to legal or institutional frameworks that set rules and regulations. Authoritative power typically implies a more hierarchical structure where power is exercised from a clearly defined leader or authority figure, while descriptive power does not directly correlate with Foucault's perspective on surveillance. Understanding disciplinary power helps in grasping how societal norms are enforced and internalized through surveillance, making it a pivotal concept in Foucault's work on modern society.