Stigma & Prejudice Flashcards

1
Q

What is Goffman’s definition of stigma?

A
  • An attribute that is ‘deeply discrediting’, which reduces the bearer from a ‘whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one’.
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2
Q

What might cause illness stigma?

A
  • Fear of contagion (especially where the illness is disfiguring).
  • Fear of incurable conditions (e.g. cancer).
  • Attribution of illness to poverty (e.g. TB).
  • Existing prejudice against a group (e.g. gay men with HIV, drug users with hepatitis).
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3
Q

According to Goffman, what are the three types of stigma?

A

1 - Abominations of the body (physical disfigurement).

2 - Blemishes of character (a known record, e.g. of alcoholism).

3 - Tribal identities (negative evaluation of people due to association with particular groups).

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4
Q

List 6 impacts of physical stigma.

A

1 - Increased social anxiety.

2 - Embarrassment.

3 - Depression.

4 - Low self-esteem.

5 - Social withdrawal.

6 - Isolation.

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5
Q

What is courtesy stigma?

A

Where stigma ‘rubs off’ on people close to the stigmatised person.

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6
Q

What do the terms ‘discredited’ and ‘discreditable mean (Goffman)?

A
  • Discredited (undisguisable): A person becomes discredited when they have a stigmatising condition which cannot be disguised.
  • Discreditable (disguisable): A person becomes discreditable when it is possible for them to conceal their stigmatising condition.
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7
Q

What is the difference between felt stigma and enacted stigma?

A
  • Felt stigma refers to the expectation and fear of discrimination.
  • Enacted stigma refers to the experience of unfair treatment by others.
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8
Q

What is a ‘spoiled identity’?

A

A ‘spoiled identity’ implies that an individual’s social identity is dominated by their stigmatised condition.

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9
Q

How might people respond to a ‘spoiled identity’?

A

1 - By concealing the stigmatising attribute.

2 - By avoiding social contact (isolation).

3 - By avoiding the blame (e.g. focusing on the influence of genetics).

4 - By refusing to be ashamed.

5 - By recognising the social nature of stigma.

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10
Q

How is stigma similar to stereotyping?

A

Both relate to the social phenomenon of people
being viewed/treated differently for something
that they are rather than their actions.

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11
Q

How is stigma different to stereotyping?

A

Stigma focuses on the stigmatised individual, whereas stereotyping focuses on group identity.

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12
Q

How does prejudice differ from stigma?

A

Prejudice focuses more on attitudes, whereas stigma is always about real and anticipated social contact (enacted and felt stigma).

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