Panopticon
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Foucault, drawing on Bentham's panopticon, points out that when people are potentially under constant surveillance, they discipline themselves; visibility is power, and control can be achieved without actual surveillance.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
The panopticon is a design of institutional building with an inbuilt system of control, originated by the English philosopher and social theorist Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century. The concept is to allow all prisoners of an institution to be observed by a single prison officer, without the inmates…
Anchor fast decisions
Originating from Bentham's panopticon: a central position can observe all cells while remaining hidden. Visibility creates the 'possibility of being seen', internalizing discipline as self-surveillance, without the need for continuous external force.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/5Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panopticonverified
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