STIGMA Flashcards
what is stigma?
a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person. it can be in response to judgement or medical conditions
why do people stigmatise?
its a human trait to demarcate ourselves from those seen as different which reinforces our own identity.
when does stigma become a problem?
if it becomes a form of discrimination when backed up by legislation
what is a ‘social construct’?
an idea that has been collectively created and accepted by people in society. a shared assumption that have an impact on how people live and behave
outline the 5 steps of the process of labelling set out by Link and Phelan?
labelling stereotyping othering stigmatisation discrimination
what is labelling?
describing someone based on their differences
what is stereotyping?
when labels are attributed characteristics
what is othering?
using language and labels to distinguish between ‘us and them’. the individual begins to be treated as their label rather than as a person.
what is stigmatisation?
when ‘they’ are seen as having undesirable characteristics that make them different so they are devalued and not attributed to the same rights or responsibilities as ‘normal’ people.
what is discrimination?
when stigmatisation is reinforced through legislation/law/language/behaviour
why does having a ‘process of stigmatisation’ matter?
it helps to show how stigma is not intrinsic to the characteristic but is a process of framing. it allows us to understand its a process that can be stopped
what is discrediting stigma?
when the condition cannot be hidden and is immediately apparent
what is discreditable stigma?
when the condition is unknown and concealable, but can potentially be revealed
what is felt stigma?
a sense of fear or shame due to a condition
what is enacted stigma?
discrimination by others e.g. being excluded
