hannels and 'B' is socialized into accepting, believing and even supporting the political notions instilled by 'A'. The shaping of individual's conceptions can also take place indirectly or even unintentionally through ones membership in a social structure. Patterns of behaviour, norms and accepted standards apparent in the action and inaction of the group are automatically adopted. "Social legitimations are developed around the dominant, and instilled as beliefs or roles in the dominated" (Gaventa,1980:15). Passive acceptance of situations or circumstances that are in conflict with one's interests occur even when the subordinated realise they are being repressed. They submit quietly because of fear of sanctions but also because they have gone through a "psychological adaptation to the state of being without power" (Gaventa:16). They recognize their powerlessness and see no possibility to reverse it and therefore submit to their hopeless situation with lethargic acceptance. After continual defeat, the conceptions of the powerlessness may be altered as a learned response. "Over time, the calculated withdrawal by 'B' may lead to an unconscious pattern of withdrawal, maintained not by fear of power of 'A' but by a sense of powerlessness within 'B', regardless of 'A's condition" (Gaventa, 1980:16). Although 'B' was originally aware of their state of oppression, time has quelled the initial fear and has desensitized their drive to remain unconstrained and autonomous. Without even realizing, B continues to submit, more as a form o...
