hey are critiquing (Miller 68).
             Critical theory focuses on a societal group level of analysis. The co-cultural theories are examples of this. They focus on women as a group in society. Many of the findings also apply to other groups, such as ethnic groups, gay or lesbian sexual preferences, or elderly (Miller 292). By focusing on specific groups, the research of these theories has offered new, insightful ways to look at how these groups work in society.
             According to Miller (2000) critical theorist view communication as sources of alienation and oppression within various social groups and structures. Communication is viewed as ways for individuals to create and maintain power differentials and alienation within a given society. Still other critical theorist view communication as a way to vocalize and bring about change for oppressed groups with in society, this may be achieved through civil discourse or even symbolic action. This definition of communication reveals the critical ontology involves the discussion of the nature of the social world, exploring oppressed social outcast or rejects through discourse of the structure and behavior of these societal groups. The ways in which groups use knowledge to create and maintain power differentials within society through knowledge is the epistemology of the critical theorist interpretation of communication. Through knowledge groups create and reinforce power differences within society by generating interest among individuals in society. Critical theorists use their values to generate change and there fore do not try to keep them out of their research and scholarship. The use of values as a driving force for change is the axiology for a critical theorist view of communication.
             The communication phenomenon that we are researching is the ways that bar bouncers hold power over the bar patrons. We believe that bouncers use their status in a particular bar against the bar's p...