|
|
IntimidationRituals |
Welcome. Here's What We're All About: |
The Intimidation Rituals |
The "Intimidation Rituals" is a social scientific theory coined by Dr. Rory O'Day describing patterns of organizational intimidation that follow the progressive stages of: |
Website Purpose |
Our aim is to educate and enlighten our visitors so that you will say to yourselves, "AH HA! Now I think I am beginning to understand what is happening or has happened to me (or her, or him, or them)." This is true for both those doing the intimidating and those who have been intimidated via the Rituals. |
"It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authority are wrong." (Voltaire) |
In 1974, Dr. Rory O'Day published an article in the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science in which he described the "Intimidation Rituals"; a process of bureaucratic opposition that provokes hierarchical retaliation following a fourfold pattern (nullification, isolation, defamation, and expulsion). The fact that after nearly forty years, the original article continues to be cited in journals and books, reprinted in texts, and reproduced for use in university and college courses, suggests to us that the model reflects something real and enduring about organizational life that seems independent of the purpose of the organization (e.g., educational, religious, political, military, profit/non-profit, professional, recreational, governmental and non-governmental). In short, anywhere there is a hierarchy, there are the intimidation rituals waiting to be invoked anytime the hierarchy is threatened for whatever reason. The target could be a whistle-blower, a reformer with an agenda for change, or simply just somebody whose difference clashes with the profile of the "ideal" organizational member. We developed this website because of our belief that the social science knowledge it contains applies to everyday life and should be disseminated to the general population. This website is our way of distributing the Intimidation Rituals model to as wide an audience as possible, in the hope that it will provide some clarity to people's experiences with and observations of bureaucratic retaliation. Rory O'Day, PhD Robin O'Day, PhD Candidate |
Welcome To Our Website. |
Copyright 2009 O'Day Associates 19 Fairmount Road Halifax, NS, Canada B3N 1H5 |
Website Themes by CoffeeCup Software |
1) Nullification 2) Isolation 3) Defamation 4) Expulsion |
"Attempts to control dissidents who are perceived to be a threat appear to follow a consistent pattern, termed 'intimidation rituals'…O'Day's scheme is surprisingly useful in understanding the inexorable way in which environmental disputes unfold." (Alan Miller, Ph.D., University of New Brunswick) |
"Anybody who is a manager should periodically reread (the)…Intimidation Rituals…O'Day (has) illuminated the intimidation rituals used to…discourage and suppress dissent. 'Troublemakers' endure a process of denial, isolation, defamation, and, if still persistent, ultimate expulsion…" (Erik Larson, Ph.D and Johnathan B. King, PhD., Oregon State University) |