Social intimidation

Force or superior power may be used to exploit other social groups or individuals through fear. Intimidation may arise out of class, racial, religious, age, sexual or other conflict, or stress. It may take the form of crime, violent or otherwise, or of indoctrination, in the sense of moralism and censorship or advertising and other social pressures, or alienation and isolation before the law. Social intimidation constitutes a barrier to social progress and serves to maintain existing segregation, exploitation and inequalities. It may induce conformism, apathy or deviation.