Panopticism

Panopticism is a social theory originally developed by French philosopher Micheal Foucault. A modern day example of Panopticism is two way mirrors in interrogation rooms. A two way mirror is partially reflective and partially transparent. It is used with a darkened room on one side and a well-lit room on the other, allowing those in the darkened room to see into the lighted room but not vice versa. Foucault suggests that, 'He is seen, but he does not see' (Foucault, 1977 p80), which is extremely relevant when we refer to the potential suspect being "watched" in an interrogation room. Foucault also states that, 'this invisibility is a guarantee of order', (Foucault 1977 p80) and 'it is not necessary to use force to constrain the convict to good behavior,' (Foucault 1977 p83), the idea that the suspect will behave and may potentially confess if he is aware of being constantly looked upon. Interrogation rooms can promote paranoia, 'the Panopticon presents a cruel ingenious cage', (Foucault 1977 p80), Foucoult creates an almost nightmarish scenario in his Panopticon, similar to the feeling of being enclosed and constantly monitored via a two way mirror in a room. Foucault states that (in relation to the panoptic schema),'its vocation was to become a generalised function' (Foucault 1977 p87) which clarifies that two way mirrors are indeed a relevant example of panopticism as they have been used worldwide and continue to do so.