Stigma And Prejudice Flashcards
What is stigma (dictionary definition)
A mark or spot on the skin
A mark of disgrace or infamy
Visible sign/ characteristic of a disease
Goffman (1963) definition of stigma
An attribute that is “deeply discrediting”
Reduces the bearer “from a whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one”
Sociological definition of stigma
Social interaction
Focus on individual and society
Visible or known difference
Negative
What is prejudice
Social cognition
Focus on group or individual
Attitudes and emotions
Negative
What is definition of stereotype
Social cognition (psychology)
Focus on group
Social expectations
Positive, negative and neutral
What is the development of stigma as a sociological concept
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
Social causes of stigma
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
Effects of stigma
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
Why is stigma important to healthcare
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
Examples of stigmatised health conditions
Visible health differences
Mental health (fears/ unexpected behaviours)
Infectious diseases
Feared conditions (cancer)
What is fear of contagion
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
What is the stigma around cancer
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
3 types of stigma according to Goffman
“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
What is physical stigma
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
Impact of physical stigma on a person
Heightened social anxiety
Embarrassment
Depression
Low self esteem
Social withdrawal
Isolation
Examples of Stigmatised activities/ experiences/ attributes:
Drug/ alcohol addiction
Time spent in prison
Long term unemployment
Prostitution
Mental illness
Alternative sexualities
Describe debate over whether persons characteristics are innate or choice
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
What are tribal identities
Person visibly belongs to a particular group
Religious groups (clothing, symbols)
Racial groups (physique, skin colour)
Ethnic groups
Chosen tribes
What is courtesy stigma
Stigma rubs off on people close to stigmatised person
Impact of stigma according to Goffman
Stigma changes the social identity of a person
What is discrediting stigma
Person becomes discredited when stigma cant be hidden
Forced to deal with stigma
Meaning of when an individual is discredited
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”
Meaning of when an individual is discreditable
Concealment strategies which may not work
Passing as ‘normal’
Evaluating whether or not to reveal their condition
What is a spoiled identity
Implies that an individuals social identity is dominated by stigmatised illness
How people manage a spoiled identity
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
How is stigma different from stereotype
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
What is prejudice compared to stereotype
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
Different ways HCP can be prejudice
HCP treat people differently “personally” (being rude, accusatory…)
HCP treat people differently “medically” (not offering treatment)
Prejudice related to race/ ethnicity
BAME communities
Fear of violence can influence risk assessments and decisions on treatments
Causes Service users become reluctant to ask for help/ comply
Prejudice related to mental health: self harm
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
What is the social context of prejudice
Strong impact on how people are treated by health practitioners
Prejudice needs to focus on social context not just individual
Two examples of prejudice
Race
Self harm
How prejudice affects health inequalities and outcomes
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
