EXPLORING STIGMA WITH

UNDERGRADUATES
by Elena Fox
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Learning Outcomes:

• 1) Define and describe stigma

• 2) Give an example of and recognize/classify stigma and types

of stigmatized identities in today’s society

 ASSESSMENTS

• Learning Outcome Assessments:

• Take Home Essay Assignment

• Sample Multiple Choice Questions

 1

• What does “stigma” mean to you?

• What comes to mind when you

hear the word “stigmatized”?
 OTHER THAN BEING FAMOUS, WHAT DO THESE 8
INDIVIDUALS HAVE IN COMMON?
2 6 8

9
3 5
 STIGMA: INTRO

• No singular definition
10

• Exists on a continuum

• Modern usage of term originated with

Greeks

• Represents a negative quality

 STIGMA: GOFFMAN
11
• Stigma represents a disgraceful
characteristic

• 3 Types of Stigma: (Goffman

13
1963) 11

• “abominations of the body”

12
• “blemishes of individual
character”

• “tribal stigma of race,

nation, and religion”
 STIGMA: GOFFMAN (CONT.)
11

• Spoiled Identity = stigma affects individuals by ‘spoiling’ their social identity

13
• Discredited = visible stigma, ex. race/ethnicity, gender, or physical traits 11

• Discreditable = non-visible/concealable stigma, ex. religion, mental illness,

sexual orientation
 STIGMA IS A COMBINATION OF…
14

• Labeling
• Stereotypes
• Separation of “us” versus “them”
• Loss of status
• Discrimination
• Stigmatizers must have power
 LABELING THEORY

15

• Created by Howard Becker

• Also known as the Societal Reaction Perspective

• One theory explaining why stigma occurs

• Often used in reference to mental illness

 MODIFIED LABELING THEORY

• Proposed by Link and colleagues (1989)

16

• Another theory explaining why stigma occurs

• “focuses on status loss and social rejection”

(Phelan, Lucas, Ridgeway, and Taylor 2014:17)
 CONSEQUENCES OF STIGMA
17

• Social rejection/isolation

• Loss of social status

• Shame

• Prejudice 18

• Decreased access to food/shelter

• Reduced self-esteem
 STIGMA MANAGEMENT
19
17

• Surgery/Therapy

• ‘Passing’/Concealment

• Avoidance

• Sharing/Revealing 20

18
• Distancing

• Educating Others/Activism
 STIGMA IN TODAY’S SOCIETY
22

1) Which type of Goffman’s

21 stigma (3 types) is
focused on in each
picture?

2) What is specifically
stigmatizing about each
picture?

3) How could individuals

with this specific
stigmatized identity
manage their stigma?

4) Do you think one picture

is more stigmatizing
than the other? Why?
 STIGMA IN TODAY’S SOCIETY
20
23
1) Which type of Goffman’s
stigma (3 types) is
focused on in each
picture?

2) What is specifically
stigmatizing about each
picture?

3) How could individuals

with this specific
stigmatized identity
manage their stigma? 24

4) Do you think one picture

is more stigmatizing
than the other? Why?
 STIGMA IN TODAY’S SOCIETY
1) Which type of Goffman’s
stigma (3 types) is
focused on in each
picture?

2) What is specifically
stigmatizing about each
picture?

3) How could individuals

with this specific
stigmatized identity
manage their stigma?
25
4) Do you think one picture
is more stigmatizing
26 than the other? Why?
 STIGMA IN TODAY’S SOCIETY
27

28 1) Which type of Goffman’s stigma (3

types) is focused on in each picture?

2) What is specifically stigmatizing about

each picture?

3) How could individuals with this specific

stigmatized identity manage their
stigma?

4) Do you think one picture is more

stigmatizing than the other? Why?
 STIGMA IN TODAY’S SOCIETY
30
1) Which type of Goffman’s
stigma (3 types) is
focused on in each
picture? 29

2) What is specifically
stigmatizing about each
picture?

3) How could individuals

with this specific
stigmatized identity
manage their stigma?

4) Do you think one picture

is more stigmatizing
than the other? Why?
 STIGMA IN TODAY’S SOCIETY

1) Which type of Goffman’s stigma (3

types) is focused on in each picture?

32 2) What is specifically stigmatizing about

each picture?

3) How could individuals with this

specific stigmatized identity manage
their stigma?

31 4) Do you think one picture is more

stigmatizing than the other? Why?

32
 STIGMA IN TODAY’S SOCIETY

T1
1) Which type of Goffman’s stigma (3 types)
is focused on in each tweet?
T1
T2
2) What is specifically stigmatizing about
each tweet?
T3

T2 3) How could individuals with this specific

stigmatized identity manage their stigma?
T4
4) Do you think one tweet is more
T3 stigmatizing than the other? Why?
T5

T4
T6
33
 OTHER THAN BEING FAMOUS, WHAT DO THESE 8
INDIVIDUALS HAVE IN COMMON?
2 6 8

9
3 5
 ASSESSMENT 1: ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

• For this writing assignment, please think about a time in your life when
you or someone you know has experienced stigma or a stigmatizing
event/experience. If you do not wish to share a personal example, you
may choose an instance of a stigmatized identity or experience portrayed
in TV shows or movies. With this example/experience in mind, please
define and describe the stigma and/or stigmatizing experience, in your
own words, as well as what type of Goffman’s three types of stigma your
example/experience falls under. Please also include any potential or
actual consequences this individual may face or faced due to the stigma,
as well as any coping strategies potentially used or actually used to
overcome the stigma.
• Your essay should be 750-1000 words. Typed. Double-spaced. 12-point
font.
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT RUBRIC
 ASSESSMENT 2: EXAM QUESTIONS

• Format: Multiple Choice

• Important areas possibly covered:

• Goffman’s 3 types of stigma

• Other aspects associated with stigma

• Consequences of stigma

• Stigma coping strategies

• Stigma in today’s society (an example or two such as those discussed in class)
 REFERENCES
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 REFERENCES (CONT.)
• Link, Bruce G. and Jo C. Phelan. 2013. “Chapter 25: Labeling and Stigma.” Pp. 525-541 in Handbook of of the Sociology of Mental Health (2nd Ed.), edited by
C.S. Aneshensel, J. C. Phelan, and A. Bierman. New York, NY: Springer Science+Business Media.

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15-23.

• Sabik, Sharon. 2010. “Fibromyalgia: Stigmatization and its Impact.” Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling 41(3): 30-36.

• Scheffer, Rena. 2003. “Addressing Stigma: Increasing Public Understanding of Mental Illness.” Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1-13.

• Weiner, Bernard, Raymond P. Perry, and Jami Magnusson. 1988. “An Attributional Analysis of Reactions to Stigmas.” Journal of Personality and Social
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 MEDIA REFERENCES (CONT.)
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