Chapter 30 – Feminist Standpoint Theory
Chapter 30
Feminist Standpoint Theory
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Feminist Standpoint Theory focuses on the central concept of _____ and how it shapes our
communication with others.
2. All of the following statements about Feminist Standpoint Theory are true EXCEPT
3. The person whose idea is credited with inspiring the original development of Standpoint
Theory is:
4. According to Feminist Standpoint Theory, the assignment of people to different tasks on the
basis of sex and the exploitation that results from inequities in wages is called:
5. The standpoint of _____ has served to dominate research and silence other standpoints.
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19. When it is said that those in the lowest positions in the hierarchy are best able to understand
the social system as a whole in addition to their own place in it, those in the lowest positions are
considered to possess the greatest
20. Because standpoints are defined by specific social locations, they are necessarily
21. In the context of the key concepts of Standpoint Theory, _____ means something about our
identity, and it may be best defined by its opposition to silence.
22. According to Donna Haraway (1988), the term _____ refers to the fact that a person’s
know-how is grounded in context and circumstances.
23. Which of the following statements is true of the assumptions of Feminist Standpoint
Theory?
True/False Questions
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24. Standpoint epistemology is based on the assumption that no knowledge can be truly
objective.
25. Hegel and Marx were influential in the development of Feminist Standpoint Theory.
26. Standpoint Theory can be used to analyze a variety of standpoints, not just those related to
gender.
27. Feminist Standpoint Theory assumes that the dominant group often has a clearer vision of
social life because of its hierarchical position.
28. Communication is the vehicle used to transmit and shape standpoints.
29. Developing a standpoint usually requires little or no effort.
30. Hartsock’s theory has its beginnings in the writings of Aristotle and his mentor, Plato.
31. Social hierarchy is fixed.
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32. The elite, and not everyday people, provide the framework for Feminist Standpoint Theory
because of the belief that they possess knowledge different from that of the subordinate groups.
33. Feminist Standpoint Theory recognizes that knowledge is separable from politics.
34. The ongoing global debate over undocumented immigrants reflects the continual struggles
in society to determine which group is dominant and who has the right to speak for them and for
others.
TRUE
Essay Questions
35. Describe the relationship between communication and standpoints as conceptualized by
feminist standpoint theorists.
Answers will vary.
36. Discuss the epistemological and ontological assumptions that serve as the basis for Feminist
Standpoint Theory.
Answers will vary.
37. Explain the historical foundations of Feminist Standpoint Theory. What central concepts
are included in these foundations?
Answers will vary.
38. Based on your understanding of Feminist Standpoint Theory, how would you apply
concepts discussed in Chapter 3 to evaluate the theory?
Answers will vary.
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39. Based upon your understanding of feminist theory, would you propose that feminism is
linked to activism? Why or why not? Provide examples to defend your view.
Answers will vary.
40. Comment upon the following statement within the context of Feminist Standpoint Theory:
Dominant groups in society have little motivation to understand nondominant groups. What
does the statement mean to you? How does it apply to Hartsock’s theory? Discuss the statement
using some of the key concepts of the theory.
Answers will vary.
41. How would you go about using Feminist Standpoint Theory as the basis for formulating a
study? Select a marginalized group other than women and pose a research question that stems
from this theory. Describe your study and its utility.
Answers will vary.
42. What does it mean to say that Feminist Standpoint Theory is a critical theory? How does
this help us distinguish it from other theories? Does it share anything in common with any of the
other critical theories we’ve discussed?
Answers will vary.
43. What is meant by situated knowledges? Explain in detail.
Answers will vary.