labelling and stigma Flashcards
label
a name that represents something
ex: down syndrome
labelling can lead to
stigma
stigma
a label in action
such as discrimination, underestimation
what makes a condition stigmatizing
a condition is first labelled and becomes stigmatizing when it dissociates the possessor from other people in any way or when it makes the possessor feel shame
examples of stigmatizing conditions
- HIV
- epilepsy
- down’s syndrome
HIV
associated with personal responsibility, infection, and promiscuity
epilepsy
stigmatizing due to its disturbing epileptic episodes and people’s lack of information/knowledge
down’s syndrome
stigmatizing due to its physical characteristics and developmental decay
give an example of how stigma can result in a self-fulfilling prophecy
if a person with dementia is labelled “slow” then others will behave towards him as so; the person might understand themselves as slow
stigma leads to
- low self-esteem
- low self-efficacy
- patients less likely to seek medical help
- patients less likely to adhere to therapy
importance of knowing about stigma
- helps doctors communicate better with patients
- doctors establish good rapport and improve adherence
- stigma leads to chronic stress which is associated with other health problems
example of how a clinician can directly stigmatize patients
refusing to treat a patient with HIV
example of how a clinician can indirectly stigmatize patients
to devalue to underestimate patient’s capability to understand
ways of reducing stigma
- educate patients how to deal with it
- inform the public about the nature, causes, and epidemiology of diseases
- train healthcare professionals to address stigmatizing behavior
2 types of deviance
- primary deviance
- secondary deviance
primary deviance
when a condition is present but has not yet been officially diagnosed and labelled
secondary deviance
when the condition is present AND is officially diagnosed (labelled)
the absence of a label
does not activate social relations
_____ is the practical consequence of labelling
stigma
which type of deviance results in stigma?
secondary
3 types of stigma
- enacted
- felt
- courtesy
enacted stigma
actual discrimination
felt stigma
internalized negative feelings regarding one’s self
courtesy stigma
stigma by association
feeling useless due to having a condition
felt stigma
refused employment due to having a condition
actual discrimination
discrimination against a relative, or the relative feels shame and guilt
courtesy
3 situations of stigmatization
- discredited
- obtrusiveness
- discreditable
discredited
others know and stigmatize
obtrusiveness
different environments elicit different degrees of stigmatization
discreditable
others do not know and the sufferer is afraid
sufferers respond to stigma in what ways
- change their body
- place emphasis on other parts of the self
- present their experience as inspiring
