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In [[Althusser]]'s [[theory ]] of [[ideology]], [[interpellation]] is the [[mechanism ]] that produces [[subject]]s in such a way that they recognize their own [[existence]] in [[terms ]] of the dominant [[ideology]] of the [[society ]] in which they live. (1970).

The [[French ]] ''[[interpellation]]'' is commonly used to mean '[[being ]] taken in by the police for questioning', it also means the 'questioning' of a minister in parliament.

[[Althusser]]'s basic illustration of the mechanism exploits this [[sense ]] of 'questioning' or 'hailing'.

An [[individual]] [[walking ]] down the street is hailed by a police officer - 'Hey, you there!' - and turns round to recognize the fact that he is being addressed.

According to [[Althusser]], the [[idea ]] of interpellation demonstrates that [[subject]]s are always and already the products of [[ideology]], and thus subverts the [[idealist]] [[thesis ]] that [[subjectivity]] is primary or [[self]]-founding.

A similar [[notion ]] of [[interpellation]] can be found in [[Vaneigem]]'s contribution to the theory of [[situationism]] (1967).

Confronted by the flow of [[sign]]s and [[image]]s that cosntitute [[Debord]]'s '[[society of the spectacle]]', [[individual]]s are constantly [[interpellated]] by posters, advertisements and stereotypes offering [[universal ]] [[image]]s in which they are invited to recognize themselves.

The function of [[interpellation]] is to block spontaneous [[creativity]].