Stigma & Prejudice Flashcards
What is Goffman’s definition of stigma?
- An attribute that is ‘deeply discrediting’, which reduces the bearer from a ‘whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one’.
What might cause illness stigma?
- Fear of contagion (especially where the illness is disfiguring).
- Fear of incurable conditions (e.g. cancer).
- Attribution of illness to poverty (e.g. TB).
- Existing prejudice against a group (e.g. gay men with HIV, drug users with hepatitis).
According to Goffman, what are the three types of stigma?
1 - Abominations of the body (physical disfigurement).
2 - Blemishes of character (a known record, e.g. of alcoholism).
3 - Tribal identities (negative evaluation of people due to association with particular groups).
List 6 impacts of physical stigma.
1 - Increased social anxiety.
2 - Embarrassment.
3 - Depression.
4 - Low self-esteem.
5 - Social withdrawal.
6 - Isolation.
What is courtesy stigma?
Where stigma ‘rubs off’ on people close to the stigmatised person.
What do the terms ‘discredited’ and ‘discreditable mean (Goffman)?
- Discredited (undisguisable): A person becomes discredited when they have a stigmatising condition which cannot be disguised.
- Discreditable (disguisable): A person becomes discreditable when it is possible for them to conceal their stigmatising condition.
What is the difference between felt stigma and enacted stigma?
- Felt stigma refers to the expectation and fear of discrimination.
- Enacted stigma refers to the experience of unfair treatment by others.
What is a ‘spoiled identity’?
A ‘spoiled identity’ implies that an individual’s social identity is dominated by their stigmatised condition.
How might people respond to a ‘spoiled identity’?
1 - By concealing the stigmatising attribute.
2 - By avoiding social contact (isolation).
3 - By avoiding the blame (e.g. focusing on the influence of genetics).
4 - By refusing to be ashamed.
5 - By recognising the social nature of stigma.
How is stigma similar to stereotyping?
Both relate to the social phenomenon of people
being viewed/treated differently for something
that they are rather than their actions.
How is stigma different to stereotyping?
Stigma focuses on the stigmatised individual, whereas stereotyping focuses on group identity.
How does prejudice differ from stigma?
Prejudice focuses more on attitudes, whereas stigma is always about real and anticipated social contact (enacted and felt stigma).
