Identity : Disability

Question 1

give the 4 theorists that studied disability and identity and their theories

Answer 1

-Shakespeare (disability as a label/social construct)
-Barnes (disability is socialised)
-Scott (learned helplessness)
-Goffman (discredited and discreditable)

Question 2

explain Shakespeares theory on disability and identity

Answer 2

-disability is a social construct and the label is more discouraging than the disability itself
-everyone has impairments that makes life harder but only some labelled disabled
-inaccessibility media stereotypes of dependency and weakness creates impairment

Question 3

explain Barnes theory in disability and identity

Answer 3

-disabled people are forced into a disabled role where they are socialised into seeing it as a problem and disadvantage
-self fulfilling prophecy

Question 4

what is Scott’s theory on disability and identity

Answer 4

-disability results in self fulfilling prophecy via learned helplessness
-disabled people learn that they are dependant and reliant and internalise it

Question 5

what is Goffmans theory on disability

Answer 5

-discredited = disabilities that are visible eg wheelchairs
-discreditable = invisible disabilities eg mental illness
-eg discredited disabilities able to use disabled facilities without verbal abuse