Stigma and its consequences

Question 1

What are 3 types of stigma and give examples of each?

Answer 1

Abominations of the body i.e blemishes or deformities
Character defects i.e mentally ill or criminal
Tribal stigma i.e race/religion/national origins

Question 2

Give some negative consequences of diagnosis as a social label

Answer 2

Psychiatry - incarceration
Sick notes - considered malingerers
Financial consequences
Legal claim making

Question 3

What is felt stigma?

What is enacted stigma?

Answer 3

Felt stigma - you feel stigmatised because you have an attribute which others don’t have

Enacted stigma - overt discrimination

Question 4

According to Goffman, where does stigma reside?

Answer 4

In the relationship between the attribute and the audience

Question 5

According to Goffman, what is the definition of stigma?

Answer 5

The term ‘stigma’ describes the ‘situation of the individual who is disqualified from full social acceptance

Question 6

What is the difference between discreditable and discredited in the context of stigma?

Answer 6

Discreditable - able to hide from judgement i.e mastectomy/ileostomy
Discredited - unable to hide from judgement (already been revealed) i.e amputation/wheelchair

Question 7

What sort of language can we use to avoid stigma?

Answer 7

People First language

i.e say “people with obesity” rather than “obese people”

Question 8

What is one reason for weight stigma? What are some consequences of weight stigma in children and adults?

Answer 8

Children - bullying/academic performance
Adults - employment and health

Attributing blame to the individual is one of the main reasons for weight stigma