Discourse refers to how we think and communicate about people, things, the social organization of society, and the relationships among and between all three. Discourse typically emerges out of social institutions like media and politics (among others), and by virtue of giving structure and order to language and thought, it structures and orders our lives, relationships with others, and society. It thus shapes what we are able to think and know any point in time. In this sense, sociologists frame discourse as a productive force because it shapes our thoughts, ideas, beliefs, values, identities, interactions with others, and our behavior. In doing so it produces much of what occurs within us and within society.
Sociologists see discourse as embedded in and emerging out of relations of power because those in control of institutions—like media, politics, law, medicine, and education—control its formation. As such, discourse, power, and knowledge are intimately connected, and work together to create hierarchies. Some discourses come to dominate the mainstream (dominant discourses), and are considered truthful, normal, and right, while others are marginalized and stigmatized, and considered wrong, extreme, and even dangerous.
Cole, Nicki Lisa, Ph.D. "Introduction to Discourse in Sociology." ThoughtCo, Apr. 28, 2025, thoughtco.com/discourse-definition-3026070.
We like to think we have free will, but we don’t. We are socialized, conditioned, and influenced by the social situations we participate in. If you speak English, chances are you were raised in an English speaking family and if you speak Mandarin Chinese you were raised in a Mandarin speaking Chinese family. We are more a product of our social environment than we are aware of or, if we are aware of the social environment’s influence on us, we don’t like to admit it.
This is the first in a series of articles for the next four months on the role of social discourses on human behavior in our contemporary society. It is hoped if we are more aware of these social influences we will be better able to manage them and shape the forces that create the society we live in.
Back in the 60s we used to talk about changing the social systems that contributed to oppression, subjugation, injustice, and dysfunction. In order to change these systems there was a recognition that consciousnesses needed to be raised. There were a plethora of consciousness raising groups in many venues offered and participated in with the hope of helping people become more self aware, empathic, compassionate, and activist by becoming part of the solution and no longer a part of the problem.
Many of our social discourses could benefit from improvement so that people who are subject to them can live higher quality lives.
The first component of a discourse is the jargon which is promoted by the "experts" who represent the discourse. They often offer "glossaries" to lay people so they can understand the special language. in 1984, the dystopian novel about Oceania, the jargon of the party is "newspeak". Have you noticed how the 2025, MAGA, group has coined a jargon of their own to promote their desire to oppress, subjugate, and dominate? Are immigrants "undocumented" or "illegals"? Are guilty insurrectionists "felons" or "patriots"? Is all news that doesn't report MAGA's "alternative facts" "fake news"?
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