BCM: Methods to Reduce Public Stigma

Question 1

Providing positive examples from
the stigmatized group.
Only effective when there are many
different examples.
Examples are not too discrepant
from original stereotype.

Answer 1

Stereotype-inconsistant information

Question 2

Bringing people in contact with
members of the stigmatized group.
Requires positive experiences. Most
effective when: no status
differences; externally sanctioned;
intensive contact; common or shared goals

Answer 2

Interpersonal contact

Question 3

Stimulating people to empathize
with another person, i.e., imagine
how the other person would feel.
Requires being able and willing to
identify with the stigmatized person.
Imagine how the other person would
feel (this leads to empathy). Do not
imagine how you would feel (this
leads to both empathy and distress)

Answer 3

Empathy training

Question 4

Engineering lessons in a way that
students must learn from one
another.
Requires careful organization of
lesson information distribution

Answer 4

Cooperative learning

Question 5

Forcing oneself to control impulsive
negative reactions related to stigma.
Mere suppression almost always
leads to counterproductive effects
and is not advisable. Conscious selfregulation of automatic ste

Answer 5

Conscious regulation of impulsive stereotyping and prejudice

Question 6

See methods for changes at higher

Environmental level

Answer 6

Reducing inequalities of class, race, gender and sexuality