Stigma And Prejudice

Question 1

What is stigma (dictionary definition)

Answer 1

A mark or spot on the skin
A mark of disgrace or infamy
Visible sign/ characteristic of a disease

Question 2

Goffman (1963) definition of stigma

Answer 2

An attribute that is “deeply discrediting”
Reduces the bearer “from a whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one”

Question 3

Sociological definition of stigma

Answer 3

Social interaction
Focus on individual and society
Visible or known difference
Negative

Question 4

What is prejudice

Answer 4

Social cognition
Focus on group or individual
Attitudes and emotions
Negative

Question 5

What is definition of stereotype

Answer 5

Social cognition (psychology)
Focus on group
Social expectations
Positive, negative and neutral

Question 6

What is the development of stigma as a sociological concept

Answer 6

Impact of what is happening in whole society rather than particular groups e.g. values, fears
Social interaction between the stigmatising and the stigmatised
Social impact on the individual who is stigmatised

Question 7

Social causes of stigma

Answer 7

People distinguish and label human differences - sone people seen as undesirable characteristics
What is undesirable is decided by society
Differences between times/ cultures
Impact of powerful people and institutions as the effect of labelling will spread faster

Question 8

Effects of stigma

Answer 8

People can experience emotional reacts to labelled people - fear, repulsion, disgust
Labelled person may feel ashamed/ humiliation
Labelled person experience status loss and discrimination as a consequence

Question 9

Why is stigma important to healthcare

Answer 9

Important to the experience of illness
Special care needs for people with a visible heath condition
Potential delay in help seeking
Stigma and prejudice can influence health practitioners and policies

Question 10

Examples of stigmatised health conditions

Answer 10

Visible health differences
Mental health (fears/ unexpected behaviours)
Infectious diseases
Feared conditions (cancer)

Question 11

What is fear of contagion

Answer 11

Major epidemics where illness caused visible marks of disfigurement
Illness seen as coming from outside e.g. Spanish flu
Contagion linked to deprivation and crowded living conditions e.g. TB
Liked to negative stereotyping e.g. poor people, gay with HIV

Question 12

What is the stigma around cancer

Answer 12

Incurable disease can lead people to avoid even saying cancer
Unclear causes make it more frightening
Can lead to visible differences (hair loss)
Potentially embarrassed outcomes (impotence/ colostomy bag)
Blaming patients might make others feel safer
Positive impact for better prognosis for many awareness raising charity activities

Question 13

3 types of stigma according to Goffman

Answer 13

“Abominations of the body” - physical disfigurements/ deviation from social norm
“Blemishes of character” - a known record flaw in character e.g. alcoholism, long term unemployment
“Tribal identities” - negative evaluation of people due to association with a particular group (most often via family) e.g. class, ethnicity, religion

Question 14

What is physical stigma

Answer 14

Long history of identifying and classifying physical deformities
- fear and disgust but also fascination
- living/ dead bodies displayed as curiosities
Appearance a common focus of teasing in childhood
Visible differences can lead to others staring, avoidance e.g. public transport, inappropriate questions

Question 15

Impact of physical stigma on a person

Answer 15

Heightened social anxiety
Embarrassment
Depression
Low self esteem
Social withdrawal
Isolation

Question 16

Examples of Stigmatised activities/ experiences/ attributes:

Answer 16

Drug/ alcohol addiction
Time spent in prison
Long term unemployment
Prostitution
Mental illness
Alternative sexualities

Question 17

Describe debate over whether persons characteristics are innate or choice

Answer 17

Historically, attributes seen as innate/ genetic
Is homosexuality seen as a choice?
Is addiction genetically predetermined?
Might stigma worsen if a person can be blamed for illness

Question 18

What are tribal identities

Answer 18

Person visibly belongs to a particular group
Religious groups (clothing, symbols)
Racial groups (physique, skin colour)
Ethnic groups
Chosen tribes

Question 19

What is courtesy stigma

Answer 19

Stigma rubs off on people close to stigmatised person

Question 20

Impact of stigma according to Goffman

Answer 20

Stigma changes the social identity of a person

Question 21

What is discrediting stigma

Answer 21

Person becomes discredited when stigma cant be hidden
Forced to deal with stigma

Question 22

Meaning of when an individual is discredited

Answer 22

Enacted stigma: people stare/ avoid/ express disgust
Effects on employment and earning potential
Isolation: people may avoid contact in anticipation of a negative response “felt stigma”

Question 23

Meaning of when an individual is discreditable

Answer 23

Concealment strategies which may not work
Passing as ‘normal’
Evaluating whether or not to reveal their condition

Question 24

What is a spoiled identity

Answer 24

Implies that an individuals social identity is dominated by stigmatised illness

Question 25

How people manage a spoiled identity

Answer 25

Passing as normal - conceal signs of illness
Information control - deciding who to trust
Avoiding all social contact - extreme cases
Trying to avoid blame - focusing on role of genetics
Refusing to be ashamed - seeking group solidarity or pride

Question 26

How is stigma different from stereotype

Answer 26

Both relate to the social phenomenon of people being viewed/ treated differently for something they are rather than their actions
- stereotype focuses on group identity
- stigma focuses on the stigmatised individual and the effect on them
- sociological stigma includes wider society and power dynamics

Question 27

What is prejudice compared to stereotype

Answer 27

Similar to stereotype but more about attitude/ negative emotions towards particular groups/ individuals
Focuses more on the person holding the prejudice
Can lead to discriminating/ scapegoating

Question 28

Different ways HCP can be prejudice

Answer 28

HCP treat people differently “personally” (being rude, accusatory…)
HCP treat people differently “medically” (not offering treatment)

Question 29

Prejudice related to race/ ethnicity

Answer 29

BAME communities
Fear of violence can influence risk assessments and decisions on treatments
Causes Service users become reluctant to ask for help/ comply

Question 30

Prejudice related to mental health: self harm

Answer 30

Forced to seek emergency care due to self harm, did so with feelings of shame and unworthiness
Perpetuating cycle of shame due to punitive treatment from A&E
Leads to further self harm
But there are some Positive encounters

Question 31

What is the social context of prejudice

Answer 31

Strong impact on how people are treated by health practitioners
Prejudice needs to focus on social context not just individual

Question 32

Two examples of prejudice

Answer 32

Race
Self harm

Question 33

How prejudice affects health inequalities and outcomes

Answer 33

Ongoing debate on whether this true
Disadvantaged groups have worse outcomes
Reasons fr this are complex e.g. environment, behaviour, experiencing discrimination)
Negative attitudes discourage people from seeking help